You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is bound 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 discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Houston, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 713-469-3357. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will contain info on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees refrigerants in the United States, banned its production and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It varies. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 summertime cooling costs!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might create a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be higher-priced, since only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a result, it may also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by approximately 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 costs.
Marcos AC & Heating Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we reviewed previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more costly due to the limited levels available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re getting a lot of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and can even lower your energy bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Marcos AC & Heating offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 713-469-3357 to start right away with a free estimate.