You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Subject to 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 Huntsville, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 256-801-4701. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will contain info on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can create an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, since only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it may also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates 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 forwarded on to you through your cooling bills.
All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant-related repairs might be more expensive due to the restricted levels available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner usually stops working at the worst time, often on the hottest 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 suggest installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and may even lower your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 256-801-4701 to start right away with a free estimate.