Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.

Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Georgetown, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 512-937-2001. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will have information on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its production and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It depends. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might create a problem if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, as only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it requires a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. Because of that, it might also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your utility costs.

Miller Climate Control LLC Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more expensive since there are the reduced amounts on hand.

Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and could even lower your electrical costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Miller Climate Control LLC provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 512-937-2001 to get started right away with a free estimate.