Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Warrenton, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 636-456-5041. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will contain details on what type of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, banned 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 fine, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can create an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, because only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some manufacturers have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your cooling costs.

Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you require repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs might be pricier due to the low amounts that are accessible.

Aside from that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and could even lower your utility bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 636-456-5041 to get started now with a free estimate.