You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Kearney, plus 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 possibly uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 308-624-3485. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will have details on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as 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 production and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports 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 may lead to an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed 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 potential to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be sent on to you through your energy bills.
Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs may be more costly because of the reduced levels on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re receiving a lot of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and can even decrease your cooling expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 308-624-3485 to start right away with a free estimate.