You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Albuquerque, as well as 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 likely contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 505-445-1250. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have details on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be damaging to 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 Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling as designed, you can continue to run it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system 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 summertime cooling costs!
If you keep your air conditioner, it might create difficulties if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, because only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it requires an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it could also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy consumption 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.
I-Deal HVAC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you need repairs. But as we discussed previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more expensive because of the limited levels available.
In addition to that, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and can even decrease your energy bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, I-Deal HVAC has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 505-445-1250 to get started now with a free estimate.