Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may use 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 have on influence on 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 find out if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 224-412-8308. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have info on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to 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.

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

It depends. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might lead to difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, since only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

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

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it could also sometime be ended. 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 end, some brands have initiated 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 expenditure by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be sent on to you through your utility expenses.

Controlled Comfort HVAC Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you require repairs. But as we discussed earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant can be more expensive because of the restricted amounts that are accessible.

Not to mention, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re getting a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and can even decrease your utility expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Controlled Comfort HVAC offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 224-412-8308 to begin now with a free estimate.