You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your house cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to 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 Yukon, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 405-494-7444. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will contain 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 harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes 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 varies. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may create a problem if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, because only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it needs an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a result, it could also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption 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 utility costs.

Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you require repairs. But as we talked about previously, refrigerant-related repairs might be more expensive since there are the reduced amounts on hand.

Not to mention, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re getting a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and can even lower your cooling expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 405-494-7444 to get started right away with a free estimate.