You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Mason City, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 641-243-4654. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will have info on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains 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 controls refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can cause difficulties if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, since only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a consequence, it could also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use 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 utility costs.
Mechanical Air Systems Co Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you require repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant-related repairs might be more costly due to the restricted amounts on hand.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re getting a lot of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and may even lower your utility costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Mechanical Air Systems Co has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 641-243-4654 to start now with a free estimate.