You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Northridge, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at (818) 727-9993. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will have details on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It depends. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting 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 lead to an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, as only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it needs an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work 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 sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun 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 decreases energy consumption by approximately 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 expenses.
Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, refrigerant repairs can be pricier since there are the restricted amounts that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner usually breaks down at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re getting lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we recommend installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and could even lower your cooling costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at (818) 727-9993 to start today with a free estimate.
