You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.

Depending on when your air conditioner was installed, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Ellsworth, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.

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

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 715-318-6728. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will have information on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to 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 manufacture and import in January 2020.

I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?

It varies. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can create an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, since only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the end of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

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

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun 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 reduces energy use by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your cooling expenses.

Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant-related repairs can be more costly since there are the reduced quantities available.

Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re getting lots of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and could even reduce your utility costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 715-318-6728 to get started today with a free estimate.