You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, 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 go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Norco and St. Charles Parish, 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 likely has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at (985) 764-2426. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will include info on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation 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 use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to operate 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 bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may cause an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, because only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it requires a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. Because of that, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—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 could be sent on to you through your electrical bills.
Mayeuxs AC & Heating Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we reviewed beforehand, refrigerant repairs may be more costly due to the restricted amounts on hand.
Not to mention, your air conditioner usually breaks down at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re receiving lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and may even lower your electrical expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Mayeuxs AC & Heating has many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at (985) 764-2426 to start now with a free estimate.