You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Murrieta, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 951-299-9853. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical 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 working fine, you can continue to run it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing 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 might create a problem if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, because only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created 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 likelihood to create global warming. As a consequence, it may also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been announced yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun 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 reduces 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 cooling costs.
Cool Air Solutions Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant-related repairs may be more expensive due to the restricted quantities on hand.
In addition to that, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re getting many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we advise upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and may even lower your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Cool Air Solutions offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 951-299-9853 to get started right away with a free estimate.