Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Holdrege, plus how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 308-995-8177. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located 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 this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

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

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may cause an issue if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, since only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created 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 likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

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

Durable Service Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you require repairs. But as we talked about previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be pricier because of the low quantities that are accessible.

Aside from that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re getting many other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and could even reduce your electrical costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Durable Service provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 308-995-8177 to begin right away with a free estimate.