We told you last summer 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 conditioning system installed earlier than 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what keeps the air coming from your air conditioner cool and comfy. 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 essentially no longer be allowed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
R22 refrigerant is no longer made in North America.
You can obtain recycled R22 now for existing air conditioners that use this particular refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is increasing because of the reducing supply, and won’t be accessible 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 apply to you. However, if your AC equipment was manufactured before January 2010, you have a couple 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 AC equipment to help make it compatible with approved AC refrigerant. Understand, though, this is not recommended because it could nullify your warranty(ies).
3) Continue to use 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 stress about the soaring 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!