How Does Air Conditioning Refrigerant Phaseout Affect Me?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Greater Richmond, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has 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 found outside your house. This sticker will have details on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.

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

It varies. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may cause difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, since only small amounts 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 made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it may also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

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

In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—about 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 utility costs.

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

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be pricier because of the low quantities available.

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

If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we recommend upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and might even reduce your cooling bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 804-302-6657 to get started today with a free estimate.