You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Depending on when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Muskogee, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 918-682-8238. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will include details on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for 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 manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can cause an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, since 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 have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it requires a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. Because of that, it might also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated 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 is classified low for global warming likelihood—around 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 forwarded on to you through your energy bills.
Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant can be pricier since there are the restricted quantities available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re getting lots of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we advise upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and may even lower your utility costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 918-682-8238 to begin right away with a free estimate.