You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Milledgeville and Middle Georgia, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 478-200-5689. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will include information on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production 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 yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may lead to difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be higher-priced, as only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it needs an incompatible 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. As a result, it may also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your energy expenses.
Air Concepts of Middle Georgia Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs may be more costly due to the restricted levels available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and could even lower your cooling expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Air Concepts of Middle Georgia offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 478-200-5689 to start now with a free estimate.