Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.

Depending on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Cedar Rapids, plus how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 319-208-2351. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will have information on what model of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts 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 varies. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 costs!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might create a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, since only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it calls for a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it may also sometime be discontinued. 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 companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by approximately 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 utility costs.

Ilten's Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant repairs might be pricier because of the reduced quantities 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 receiving lots of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and can even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Ilten's offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 319-208-2351 to start right away with a free estimate.