You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Moline, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 309-517-7511. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will contain details on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC 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 summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, since only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun 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 reduces energy use by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your electrical costs.
J.L. Brady Company LLC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you require repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more expensive because of the reduced amounts that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner usually needs repair at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and can even lower your energy costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, J.L. Brady Company LLC has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 309-517-7511 to get started today with a free estimate.