You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Tucson and Phoenix, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 520-416-5415. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have details on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes 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 controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it might lead to difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, since only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. Because of that, it could 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 Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands 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 may be forwarded on to you through your cooling bills.
Desert Husky HVAC/R Services Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more costly since there are the low levels available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re receiving a lot of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and may even decrease your electrical bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Desert Husky HVAC/R Services has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 520-416-5415 to begin right away with a free estimate.