You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in York, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 717-383-4479. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will include info on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can lead to a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, because only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. Because of that, it might also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—around 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 energy expenses.
Strine's Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant repairs might be more costly since there are the low amounts available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re getting a lot of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and can even reduce your utility expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Strine's provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 717-383-4479 to start today with a free estimate.