You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your house cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Sacramento, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 916-591-6889. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work 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 get a new air conditioner, it might create difficulties if you need air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a result, it may also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—about 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 bills.
Bishop’s HVAC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we went over earlier, refrigerant repairs might be pricier due to the reduced levels available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re receiving a lot of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we advise getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and may even lower your utility costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Bishop’s HVAC has many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 916-591-6889 to start right away with a free estimate.