Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.

Based on when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Carpentersville, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 224-412-8308. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will have information on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its production and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It differs. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can cause an issue if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, because only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it may also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be forwarded on to you through your utility expenses.

Controlled Comfort HVAC Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more expensive since there are the low levels available.

Not to mention, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and may even lower your cooling costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Controlled Comfort HVAC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 224-412-8308 to get started right away with a free estimate.