You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Depending on when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Kutztown and Breinigsville, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 484-646-3363. 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 kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might cause a problem if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, because only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a result, it might also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be passed on to you through your utility costs.
Moyer Total Indoor Comfort Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant repairs may be more expensive due to the restricted amounts that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re receiving lots of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and can even decrease your utility bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Moyer Total Indoor Comfort provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 484-646-3363 to start now with a free estimate.