In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with cooling season approaching, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning wanted to remind you of your choices.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioner installed prior to 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what causes the air coming from your air conditioner to be cool and pleasant. The [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]9] began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was adding to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Beginning in 2010, the making and importing of R22 was prohibited and by 2020, R22 will pretty much no longer be allowed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
R22 refrigerant is no longer produced in North America.
You can obtain recycled R22 now for existing air conditioners that use this specific refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is rising because of the decreasing supply, and will not be available for use at all by 2020.
GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
If your air conditioner was manufactured after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably won’t affect you. However, if your AC equipment was manufactured before January 2010, you have some options:
1) Buy an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which requires the approved air conditioner refrigerant.
2) Call an expert to replace the parts in your current air conditioner to help make it compatible with approved AC refrigerant. However, this is not recommended because it could nullify your warranty(ies).
3) Keep using recycled R22 until 2020.
READY TO BE DONE WITH IT?
If you don’t want to stress about the hassle of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to worry about the increasing costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to love the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today and we’ll come out and provide you a free in-home estimate on a new AC system, just in time for spring!