You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, since 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 review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Wausau, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 715-301-0727. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
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 prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to operate 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 bills!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may cause a problem if you need air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, since only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a consequence, it could also ultimately 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 end, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by about 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.
Gilray Heating and Cooling Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs can be more costly since there are the reduced quantities available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re experiencing lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and can even decrease your electrical costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Gilray Heating and Cooling provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 715-301-0727 to get started today with a free estimate.