How Does Air Conditioning Refrigerant Phaseout Affect Me?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.

Depending on when your air conditioner was installed, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Wilkes Barre and Scranton, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 570-309-0403. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages 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 depends. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may create an issue if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, since only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. As a result, it could also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be passed on to you through your energy expenses.

GLR Mechanical Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you need repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs can be pricier due to the reduced amounts on hand.

Not to mention, your air conditioner usually stops working at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and might even lower your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, GLR Mechanical has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 570-309-0403 to begin today with a free estimate.