Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.

Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Covington, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by calling us at (770) 462-5319. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will contain information on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains 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 controls refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.

I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?

It varies. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to run 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 expenses!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, because only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it could also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—around 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 may be passed on to you through your cooling costs.

Covington Air Systems Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant repairs may be more costly due to the low amounts on hand.

In addition to that, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and can even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Covington Air Systems has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at (770) 462-5319 to begin now with a free estimate.