You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Laguna Niguel, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 949-317-4175. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 summertime cooling costs!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can create difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be more expensive, since only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have initiated 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 lowers energy use by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be passed on to you through your electrical costs.
Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant repairs can be more expensive since there are the reduced levels that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re receiving a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and might even reduce your electrical bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating has many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 949-317-4175 to start right away with a free estimate.