Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Tucker, plus how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 770-450-1539. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have details on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.

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

I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?

It varies. If your air conditioning is cooling fine, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, since only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it needs an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it could also eventually 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 phaseout, some manufacturers have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—around 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 sent on to you through your utility bills.

ACS Heating and Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed previously, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more expensive due to the low amounts available.

Aside from that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re receiving lots of other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and might even lower your utility bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, ACS Heating and Air Conditioning provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 770-450-1539 to get started right away with a free estimate.