In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with summer approaching, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning wanted to remind you of your courses of action.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioner installed before 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what keeps the air coming from your air conditioner cool and comfortable. The EPA began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was contributing to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Starting 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 manufactured in North America.
You can purchase recycled R22 now for existing air conditioning systems that use this certain refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is rising because of the dropping supply, and won’t be obtainable 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 doesn’t apply to you. However, if your AC equipment was manufactured before January 2010, you have a few options:
1) Invest in an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which can use the approved AC refrigerant.
2) Call a professional to replace the parts in your current air conditioner to help make it compatible with approved air conditioner refrigerant. Keep in mind, 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 panic about the trouble of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to worry about the rising costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to improve the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today and we’ll come out and provide you a complimentary in-home estimate on a new air conditioner, just in time for spring!