You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Beckley and Mount Hope, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 304-707-0600. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will include information on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling as designed, 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 says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it could create an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, as only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a consequence, it could also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been announced yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by approximately 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 expenses.
Appalachian Heating Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you need repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant-related repairs could be pricier since there are the reduced amounts that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re experiencing lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and might even reduce your utility bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Appalachian Heating has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 304-707-0600 to begin now with a free estimate.