Last summer we told you about the R22 phase out and with warmer temperatures approaching, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning wanted to remind you of your choices.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioning system installed prior to 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what causes the air coming from your air conditioner to be cool and comfy. 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 basically no longer be allowed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
R22 refrigerant is no longer manufactured in North America.
You can obtain recycled R22 now for existing AC equipment that use this particular refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is increasing because of the reducing 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 won’t apply to you. However, if your air conditioner was made before January 2010, you have a few options:
1) Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which requires the approved A/C refrigerant.
2) Call an expert to replace the parts in your current air conditioning system to help make it compatible with approved A/C refrigerant. Understand, though, this is not recommended because it could void 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 hassle 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 no-charge in-home estimate on a new air conditioning system, just in time for spring!