You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Front Royal, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
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 540-636-3396. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture 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 system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may lead to an issue if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, because only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout 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. Since it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. Because of that, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—about 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 might be sent on to you through your energy bills.
Dave's Diversified Services Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you require repairs. But as we reviewed previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be more expensive because of the restricted quantities that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often needs repair at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re getting lots of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and could even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Dave's Diversified Services has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 540-636-3396 to begin right away with a free estimate.