Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.

Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Mankato area, plus how these phaseouts impact you.

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

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 507-387-6596. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have details on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture 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 running fine, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work 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 may lead to an issue if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, as only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it requires an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use by about 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 cooling expenses.

Northern Comfort Inc Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant repairs may be more expensive since there are the restricted levels that are accessible.

Aside from that, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and may even lower your utility bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Northern Comfort Inc has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 507-387-6596 to start now with a free estimate.