You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.

Based on 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 No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 636-456-5041. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will have information on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.

I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?

It depends. If your air conditioning is cooling fine, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it might lead to an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, since only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed 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 brands have started 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 lowers energy use by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be passed on to you through your energy expenses.

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

In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs may be more costly because of the reduced amounts that are accessible.

Not to mention, your air conditioner usually stops working at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re getting a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and may even lower your electrical expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 636-456-5041 to start right away with a free estimate.