You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Depending on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Newark, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 740-200-5591. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will contain info on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls 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 fine, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system 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 annual cooling costs!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, as only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it requires a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it might also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have started 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 expenditure by around 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 expenses.
Luikart Heating & Cooling Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about previously, refrigerant-related repairs might be more expensive due to the low quantities on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re getting many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and could even reduce your utility bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Luikart Heating & Cooling has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 740-200-5591 to get started today with a free estimate.