What You Should Know About Your AC’s Refrigerant
Here at Skaggs-Walsh, we maintain our status as your reliable source of home comfort by staying on top of current changes in the HVAC industry. In the case of your air conditioning equipment, for example, some big changes are on the horizon and we believe that you should know about them if you don’t already!
Have you heard that R-22 refrigerant is being phased out?
R-22 is a refrigerant that has long been used in air conditioning equipment manufactured before 2010. However, it was found that R-22 contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere. As a result, R-22 refrigerant is slated to be completely phased out and unavailable as of January 1, 2020.
What refrigerant is being used in air conditioning systems now?
A cleaner, safer refrigerant known as R-410A has replaced R-22 as the standard in air conditioning equipment manufactured after 2010. This means that any equipment manufactured after 2010 shouldn’t be impacted by these changes. On the other hand, with equipment manufactured before 2010 there’s a chance it still utilizes R-22.
What does all this mean?
As R-22 is phased-out its supply decreases, resulting in a spike in refrigerant recharge prices for systems that use the refrigerant. Eventually, when R-22 supplies are completely tapped out, the obsolete equipment will need to be modified or replaced with newer equipment. The result for customers is an increase in the cost to upkeep these outdated air conditioning systems.
The solution to avoid these increased charges? Upgrade the air conditioning equipment!
Upgrading AC equipment that uses R-22 refrigerant now benefits customers in more than one way:
- They’ll spend less on refrigerant charges, and will get ahead of the need to upgrade the equipment when it becomes obsolete in 2020 – which will likely be followed by a large influx of homeowners looking to do the same!
- The equipment will be a decade old, which is around the life expectancy of most air conditioning systems and when the equipment’s efficiency begins to degrade. A brand new AC system will significantly improve comfort while lowering upkeep costs and energy bills!
- Customers will be contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment by using new equipment with less of a harmful impact on our planet.
As of January 1, 2020, the R-22 phase-out will be complete, and the refrigerant will no longer be produced or imported. That’s only a few short months away! Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Contact us online or give us a call to discuss these changes and what you can do to avoid spending too much on maintaining an outdated AC system.
