You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house cool. This refrigerant is bound by 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 go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Winnipeg, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 204-272-8128. 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 model of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is running as designed, 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 substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can lead to an issue if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, because only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs a different 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. As a result, it could also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some manufacturers have initiated 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 decreases energy expenditure by around 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 energy bills.
Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you need repairs. But as we went over beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier because of the reduced levels that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and could even reduce your cooling bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 204-272-8128 to begin right away with a free estimate.
