You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Pocatello, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 208-621-0129. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It differs. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can create an issue if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, because only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a result, it could also ultimately be ended. 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 end, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by about 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 cooling costs.

Vogts Heating & Air Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you require repairs. But as we went over earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant can be pricier due to the low levels that are accessible.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re receiving many other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and could even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Vogts Heating & Air provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 208-621-0129 to start right away with a free estimate.