You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, since 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 Siloam Springs, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 479-308-8176. 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 uses.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, banned its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, as only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it needs a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. Because of that, it might also eventually 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 companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—about 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 could be sent on to you through your electrical bills.
Siloam Springs Heating & AC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we mentioned beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more costly since there are the restricted levels available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically needs repair at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re getting lots of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and could even lower your electrical costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Siloam Springs Heating & AC has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 479-308-8176 to begin right away with a free estimate.