You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Pocatello, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 208-621-0129. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will include information on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is operating as designed, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can lead to a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, since only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by around 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 expenses.
Vogts Heating & Air Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant-related repairs might be more costly due to the reduced amounts on hand.
In addition to that, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re getting lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and might even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Vogts Heating & Air has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 208-621-0129 to get started now with a free estimate.