Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, 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 Greater Richmond, 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 installed before 2010, it probably contains Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 804-302-6657. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will contain details on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed 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 use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may lead to an issue if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, because only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. Because of that, it may also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some manufacturers have begun 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 reduces energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be passed on to you through your cooling costs.

Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we went over beforehand, refrigerant repairs might be more expensive since there are the low amounts on hand.

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

If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and can even lower your cooling bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 804-302-6657 to start right away with a free estimate.