Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Manassas, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

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

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 703-278-2036. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will have information on what model of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains 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 governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It varies. If your air conditioning is operating fine, 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 reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may create a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, since only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the end of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it needs a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely 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 possibility—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 could be passed on to you through your energy bills.

Woody's Sudden Service Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs may be more expensive due to the reduced quantities that are accessible.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and could even lower your utility bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Woody's Sudden Service provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 703-278-2036 to start now with a free estimate.