You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Mankato area, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 507-387-6596. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may lead to difficulties if you need air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, as only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because 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 lead to global warming. Because of that, it could also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been announced yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be forwarded on to you through your energy expenses.
Northern Comfort Inc Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we mentioned beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs can be pricier because of the low quantities that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re getting a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we recommend installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and might even lower your cooling bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Northern Comfort Inc has many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 507-387-6596 to get started today with a free estimate.