You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Menomonie and western Wisconsin, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 715-352-4052. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will include details on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It depends. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to run it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may create an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may 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 use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it requires a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a result, it may also sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been announced yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your energy bills.
Halverson Brothers Inc Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we talked about earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier since there are the limited quantities available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re receiving lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and might even decrease your utility costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Halverson Brothers Inc provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 715-352-4052 to begin right away with a free estimate.