You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.

Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Neptune City, as well as 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 possibly contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 732-806-5536. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will include information on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.

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

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

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can create a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, since only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the end of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it calls for a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

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

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

In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—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 might be sent on to you through your utility bills.

Aggressive Mechanical Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant repairs can be more expensive since there are the low levels that are accessible.

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

If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and can even decrease your electrical costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Aggressive Mechanical offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 732-806-5536 to get started now with a free estimate.