You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.

Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Lafayette, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

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

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at (337) 234-2345. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will include info on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.

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

It depends. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may lead to difficulties if you need air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, because only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a consequence, it might also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

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

In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified 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 could be forwarded on to you through your energy expenses.

AC Sales Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant may be pricier because of the low levels available.

Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re experiencing lots of other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and can even decrease your utility costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, AC Sales provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at (337) 234-2345 to begin today with a free estimate.