You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Georgetown, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 512-937-2001. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will include information on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may lead to an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, since only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a result, it could also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by about 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 Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you require repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant repairs may be pricier due to the reduced amounts on hand.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re getting a lot of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we advise upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and might even decrease your cooling expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Miller Climate Control LLC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 512-937-2001 to begin today with a free estimate.
