You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, since 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 review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Kingsville, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 361-214-1203. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It varies. If your air conditioning is working correctly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might create difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be forwarded on to you through your energy expenses.
Four Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating LLC Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we mentioned previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be pricier since there are the reduced quantities that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re receiving a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we advise upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and might even reduce your electrical bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Four Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating LLC has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 361-214-1203 to begin today with a free estimate.