You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, 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 Port St. Lucie, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 772-247-2283. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will have information on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling bills!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may lead to a problem if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, because only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. As a consequence, it could also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have begun 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 use by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be sent on to you through your cooling bills.
Custom Air Systems Inc Can Help 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 earlier, refrigerant repairs can be more costly because of the reduced levels that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re getting many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and can even lower your cooling bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Custom Air Systems Inc offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 772-247-2283 to begin right away with a free estimate.
