Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.

Subject to 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 Palm Coast, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 386-313-8766. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will include info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.

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

It varies. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, because only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a consequence, it could also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

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

Cooks Air Conditioning and Heating Specialists Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs can be more expensive due to the reduced quantities that are accessible.

In addition to that, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and could even lower your electrical bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Cooks Air Conditioning and Heating Specialists offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 386-313-8766 to start today with a free estimate.