You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.

Based on 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 West Valley City, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 801-305-4777. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will contain information on what type of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

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

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can create an issue if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, since only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it needs an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it may also eventually be phased out. 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 phaseout, 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 decreases energy use by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be forwarded on to you through your utility bills.

Select Comfort Systems Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed previously, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more costly since there are the low amounts that are accessible.

In addition to that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and could even decrease your utility expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Select Comfort Systems offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 801-305-4777 to begin now with a free estimate.