You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Saint Louis, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 314-262-4541. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will include details on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, because only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it calls for a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it could also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated 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 initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—about 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 could be passed on to you through your energy costs.
Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be pricier since there are the reduced quantities that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re receiving many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we recommend installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and may even lower your electrical bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 314-262-4541 to begin now with a free estimate.