You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

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

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

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 309-323-9584. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will include details on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation 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 regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it might create an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, since only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it might also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some manufacturers have started 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 lowers energy use by around 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.

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

In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant may be pricier due to the reduced amounts on hand.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re getting many other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and may even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Freed Heating & Air Conditioning offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 309-323-9584 to start right away with a free estimate.