You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Portland, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at (503) 739-5400. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might lead to an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, because only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. As it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it may also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be forwarded on to you through your cooling costs.
Three Rivers Heating and Cooling Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs may be more costly because of the restricted quantities available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re receiving lots of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and may even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Three Rivers Heating and Cooling offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at (503) 739-5400 to get started right away with a free estimate.