Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Port Clinton, in addition to how these phaseouts impact 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 find out if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 419-465-8722. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will contain information on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon 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.

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

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

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, because only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it could also eventually be phased out. 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 phaseout, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases 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 energy bills.

Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant can be pricier because of the reduced amounts available.

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

If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and can even decrease your cooling bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 419-465-8722 to start right away with a free estimate.