You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Sarasota, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 941-377-7956. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have details on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating as designed, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might lead to a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, as only small amounts 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 made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it requires a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. As a result, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your cooling costs.
Airtech Cooling & Heating Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you require repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant repairs may be more costly because of the reduced levels that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re receiving a lot of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and might even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Airtech Cooling & Heating has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 941-377-7956 to start now with a free estimate.