You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, 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 review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Central Point, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 541-286-6617. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have info on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, because only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on 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 work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated 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 started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy use by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be forwarded on to you through your energy expenses.
Titan Heating & Air Conditioning Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you need repairs. But as we talked about earlier, refrigerant-related repairs might be more expensive because of the restricted amounts on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re receiving lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and might even reduce your cooling expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Titan Heating & Air Conditioning has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 541-286-6617 to begin now with a free estimate.