Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.

Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Abilene, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.

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

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably contains Freon^®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 325-200-4667. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will have info on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.

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

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling correctly, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may cause difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, since only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron^®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it requires an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated 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 started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—about 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 might be passed on to you through your electrical bills.

Abilene Air-Tech Inc Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we reviewed beforehand, refrigerant repairs can be more costly since there are the limited quantities that are accessible.

Not to mention, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and may even lower your energy costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR^®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Abilene Air-Tech Inc provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at (325) 692-5850 to get started now with a free estimate.