You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.
Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Oxford, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 662-281-1231. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will include details on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical 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, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating as designed, 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 says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can create a problem if you need air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, as only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a result, it could also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—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 could be sent on to you through your cooling costs.
Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant repairs can be more expensive due to the reduced levels on hand.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and could even reduce your utility costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 662-281-1231 to begin now with a free estimate.