You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Bend, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 541-238-2797. You can also examine 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 needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling correctly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it might cause an issue if you need 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 end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to 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 end, some companies have started 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 reduces energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be forwarded on to you through your cooling bills.
Tri County Climate Control LLC Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you need repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant-related repairs can be more costly since there are the low levels on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and may even lower your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Tri County Climate Control LLC offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 541-238-2797 to start right away with a free estimate.