You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.

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 Northridge, plus how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at (818) 727-9993. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has 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 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 differs. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last 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 replace your air conditioner, it may lead to a problem if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, because only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. As it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

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

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy consumption by approximately 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 energy bills.

Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you require repairs. But as we talked about earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier since there are the restricted quantities that are accessible.

Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re getting many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and can even reduce your utility bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at (818) 727-9993 to start right away with a free estimate.