Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

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

Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Derby, plus 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 installed before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 203-772-8319. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.

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

It depends. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can lead to difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, since only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. As it needs a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

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

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by about 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 utility bills.

Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be more expensive due to the restricted quantities on hand.

In addition to that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and could even reduce your utility expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 203-772-8319 to get started now with a free estimate.