You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Lincoln, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 402-438-7992. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will include info on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may create a problem if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, as only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. Because of that, it could also ultimately 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 manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure 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 cooling costs.
AW Heating & Air Conditioning Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you need repairs. But as we went over earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more expensive because of the restricted levels available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re getting lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we recommend upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and could even decrease your electrical bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, AW Heating & Air Conditioning has many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 402-438-7992 to start today with a free estimate.
