You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Omaha, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 402-509-5940. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will have info on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it could create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, since only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it calls for a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. Because of that, 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 phaseout, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption 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 cooling expenses.
Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you need repairs. But as we talked about previously, refrigerant-related repairs could be more costly because of the low amounts on hand.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and might even decrease your utility expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 402-509-5940 to start now with a free estimate.