You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Based 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 West Valley City, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 801-305-4777. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, as only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your energy bills.
Select Comfort Systems Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant may be pricier since there are the low amounts that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and might even decrease your cooling expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Select Comfort Systems has many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 801-305-4777 to begin right away with a free estimate.
