Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over 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 Discontinued?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 224-412-8308. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to 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 varies. If your air conditioning is cooling correctly, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 bills!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can create difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, since only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the end of R-22, a lot of 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 calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. As a result, it may also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

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

In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by around 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 bills.

Controlled Comfort HVAC Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be more expensive because of the restricted levels on hand.

Aside from that, your air conditioner usually stops working at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re experiencing lots of other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and may even decrease your electrical expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Controlled Comfort HVAC provides many financing options 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.