You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Chelan and Wenatchee, 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 possibly contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 509-284-4265. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will have information on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees refrigerants in the United States, banned its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is working properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it could cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, as only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it needs a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a result, it could also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by approximately 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 utility bills.
Lakeside Heating & Air Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you require repairs. But as we talked about previously, refrigerant repairs may be pricier since there are the reduced quantities available.
In addition to that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re receiving a lot of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and could even lower your energy costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Lakeside Heating & Air offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 509-284-4265 to get started right away with a free estimate.