Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

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

Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Omaha, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.

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

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 402-628-0206. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will include information on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.

I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?

It varies. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!

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

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As 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 potential to create global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

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

In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be passed on to you through your utility expenses.

The Frazier Company Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we went over earlier, refrigerant repairs may be more expensive because of the reduced levels that are accessible.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and might even reduce your electrical costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, The Frazier Company offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 402-628-0206 to get started right away with a free estimate.