You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Manassas, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 703-595-4157. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will include details on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as 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, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can cause difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, because only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it needs a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible 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 eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy use by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be passed on to you through your cooling costs.
Fire & Ice HVAC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be pricier due to the restricted amounts available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re getting many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and may even lower your cooling expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Fire & Ice HVAC has many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 703-595-4157 to start now with a free estimate.