You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Woodbridge, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 703-595-4157. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating as designed, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing 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 may create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, as only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it might also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have initiated 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 approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be forwarded on to you through your cooling costs.
Fire & Ice HVAC Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier since there are the low amounts that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re getting many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and can even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Fire & Ice HVAC provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 703-595-4157 to start right away with a free estimate.