You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on 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 Fort Lauderdale, in addition to 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 contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 954-320-7398. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will contain information on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating 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 substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, because only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it requires a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be passed on to you through your electrical expenses.
Solar Air Inc. Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you need repairs. But as we mentioned earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more expensive since there are the limited amounts that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner frequently needs repair at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re receiving many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and may even decrease your energy costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Solar Air Inc. has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 954-320-7398 to begin right away with a free estimate.