Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

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

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, 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 McKinney and Frisco, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 888-863-0560. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.

I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?

It differs. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC 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 summertime cooling expenses!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, because only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. Because of that, it might also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your utility expenses.

Bell Mechanical Services Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant-related repairs may be pricier since there are the reduced quantities on hand.

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

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and could even reduce your utility costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Bell Mechanical Services has many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 888-863-0560 to begin today with a free estimate.