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

Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Huntsville, 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 put in before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 256-801-4701. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will include info on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful 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.

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

It varies. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 cause difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, as only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it needs a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a consequence, it may also sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be passed on to you through your utility costs.

All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant repairs might be pricier since there are the restricted quantities on hand.

Not to mention, your air conditioner often 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 requires a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and could even reduce your cooling bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc has many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 256-801-4701 to get started today with a free estimate.