You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Macon, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 478-202-3170. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will contain details on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is working correctly, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!
If you keep your air conditioner, it might lead to difficulties if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, because only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it could also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace 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—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be passed on to you through your utility costs.
Air Temperature Control Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you need repairs. But as we went over beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant can be more costly due to the reduced levels on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner usually needs repair at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re getting a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and may even lower your cooling expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Air Temperature Control provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 478-202-3170 to start right away with a free estimate.