You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Marshalltown, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 641-812-2028. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located 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 R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation and import in January 2020.

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

It varies. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might create an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it needs an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

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

In preparation of the end, some companies have initiated 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 lowers energy use by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be forwarded on to you through your cooling costs.

Kapaun & Brown Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you require repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant repairs may be pricier because of the low amounts on hand.

Not to mention, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re receiving a lot of other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and could even reduce your electrical bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Kapaun & Brown offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 641-812-2028 to begin now with a free estimate.