How Does Air Conditioning Refrigerant Phaseout Affect Me?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.

Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Hasbrouck Heights, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 201-579-2562. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will contain details on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It differs. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing 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 can lead to an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, because only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it requires a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it might also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy use by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be sent on to you through your cooling bills.

ACE Solutions Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more expensive since there are the reduced levels that are accessible.

Aside from that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing many other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend getting an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and can even decrease your cooling bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, ACE Solutions provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 201-579-2562 to start right away with a free estimate.