You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Delray Beach, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 561-287-7071. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will contain info on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical 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, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling correctly, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to operate 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 expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may cause an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, as only reduced levels 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 created to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it may also ultimately 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 started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy use by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be sent on to you through your energy bills.
Kilbourne Heating & AC Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you need repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more costly due to the restricted quantities 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 many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and can even lower your electrical bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Kilbourne Heating & AC provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 561-287-7071 to get started now with a free estimate.