You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, since 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 review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Dresden, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 1-866-781-0111. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will contain details on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture 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 fine, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 annual cooling costs!
If you keep your air conditioner, it can cause an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, since only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—about 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 could be sent on to you through your utility expenses.
McFadden Heating & Cooling Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we mentioned beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs may be pricier due to the low amounts on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently needs repair at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re receiving a lot of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and may even lower your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, McFadden Heating & Cooling provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 1-866-781-0111 to begin now with a free estimate.