You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in McHenry, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 815-410-1128. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will contain info on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called 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.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it could lead to a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, because only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a result, it could also sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands 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 lowers energy consumption by around 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 utility bills.
Jett's Heating & Air Inc. Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we mentioned earlier, refrigerant repairs may be more costly since there are the low amounts on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re receiving lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and may even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Jett's Heating & Air Inc. provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 815-410-1128 to begin now with a free estimate.