Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Monroe, plus how these phaseouts impact you.

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

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 608-291-3606. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what type of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

It depends. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing 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 may lead to an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be more expensive, because only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

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

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

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases 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.

Lanz Furnace and Fireplace Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you require repairs. But as we went over earlier, refrigerant repairs might be more costly since there are the restricted amounts on hand.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we recommend installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and could even decrease your cooling expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Lanz Furnace and Fireplace offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 608-291-3606 to get started today with a free estimate.