Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Marshalltown, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 641-316-3360. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will have info on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

It depends. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a result, it could also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be forwarded on to you through your energy expenses.

B & G HVAC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant-related repairs may be pricier since there are the restricted quantities available.

Aside from that, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and may even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, B & G HVAC offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 641-316-3360 to begin right away with a free estimate.