Last summer we told you about the R22 phase out and with cooling season approaching, Finch Air Conditioning & Heating wanted to remind you of your choices.
RECAP:
If you have an AC system installed before 2010, it likely uses R22 refrigerant, which is what keeps the air coming from your air conditioner cool and comfortable. The [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]9] 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 made in North America.
You can get recycled R22 now for existing air conditioners that use this particular 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 made after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably doesn’t apply to you. However, if your air conditioner was made before January 2010, you have some options:
1) Buy an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which uses the approved air conditioner refrigerant.
2) Call an HVAC company to replace the parts in your current AC equipment to help make it compatible with approved A/C refrigerant. However, this is not recommended because it could invalidate 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 issue of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to stress about the soaring costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to love the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Finch Air Conditioning & Heating today and we’ll come out and provide you a no-charge in-home estimate on a new air conditioning system, just in time for spring!