You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Based on 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 Naples, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 239-241-5318. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will contain details on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 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, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating as designed, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work 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 expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it could create an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, since only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. As a result, it could also sometime be phased out. 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 manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure 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 energy costs.
CNR Air Conditioning Inc Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we reviewed beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more costly because of the low quantities available.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and could even lower your cooling bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, CNR Air Conditioning Inc has many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 239-241-5318 to start right away with a free estimate.