You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, as 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 Laurel, plus how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 301-960-3247. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will include information on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It differs. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can cause a problem if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, because only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now have 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 lead to global warming. Because of that, it might also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy consumption by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be passed on to you through your cooling expenses.

H&C Heating and Cooling Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant-related repairs might be pricier because of the low quantities available.

In addition to that, your air conditioner usually stops working at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing lots of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and can even decrease your electrical expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, H&C Heating and Cooling provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 301-960-3247 to get started right away with a free estimate.