You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Tomball, in addition to 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 possibly uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 713-364-9957. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will have information on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful 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 production and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It varies. If your air conditioning is cooling as designed, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can lead to a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it needs a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it may also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use 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 electrical bills.
Premium Air Services LLC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we mentioned earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant can be pricier because of the limited levels on hand.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re getting many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and might even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Premium Air Services LLC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 713-364-9957 to get started today with a free estimate.