Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.

Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 Crystal and Twin Cities, 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 added before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 763-535-2000. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs 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 depends. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might lead to a problem if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it might also sometime 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 end, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be sent on to you through your cooling bills.

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

In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant-related repairs might be pricier due to the restricted levels that are accessible.

In addition to that, your air conditioner usually stops working at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we advise upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and could even reduce your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, GV Heating & Air has many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 763-535-2000 to get started right away with a free estimate.