You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Naples, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 239-244-3439. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will contain information on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling fine, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling bills!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it could create difficulties if you need air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, because only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it requires a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. Because of that, it may also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by around 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 electrical bills.
Speedy Air Conditioning Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we went over earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant can be pricier since there are the reduced quantities available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and could even lower your electrical costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Speedy Air Conditioning has many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 239-244-3439 to start now with a free estimate.