You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, 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 Norco and St. Charles Parish, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at (985) 764-2426. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will contain details on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation 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 as designed, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might cause an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, because only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it needs an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it might also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated 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 started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be forwarded on to you through your energy costs.
Mayeuxs AC & Heating Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you need repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant repairs can be more costly because of the low quantities available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and may even lower your cooling costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Mayeuxs AC & Heating has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at (985) 764-2426 to begin right away with a free estimate.
