You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Pflugerville, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 512-355-1482. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will include details on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work 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 replace your air conditioner, it may lead to an issue if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be higher-priced, because only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it needs an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead 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 companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases 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 costs.
Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant repairs can be pricier due to the restricted levels that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re getting many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and can even reduce your utility costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 512-355-1482 to get started right away with a free estimate.
