You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is controlled 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 go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Buellton, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 805-242-9638. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will include info on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It varies. 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 reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might create a problem if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, because only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. Because of that, it could also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

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

Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we went over earlier, refrigerant-related repairs might be pricier due to the reduced quantities available.

In addition to that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and can even decrease your utility bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 805-242-9638 to begin right away with a free estimate.