R22 is Phasing Out 

In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with summer approaching, Stevenson Service Experts wanted to remind you of your courses of action. 

RECAP: 

If you have an AC system installed earlier than 2010, it likely uses R22 refrigerant, which is what causes the air coming from your air conditioner to be cool and comfy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was compounding the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer. 

Launching in 2010, the production and import 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 get recycled R22 now for existing air conditioning systems that use this specific refrigerant. 

The cost of R22 is going up because of the reducing supply, and won’t be available for use at all by 2020. 

GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? 

If your air conditioner was produced 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) Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which uses the approved A/C refrigerant. 

2) Call a professional to replace the parts in your current AC equipment to help make it compatible with approved A/C refrigerant. Keep in mind, this is not recommended because it could invalidate your warranty(ies). 

3) Continue to use recycled R22 until 2020. 

READY TO BE DONE WITH IT? 

If you don’t want to stress 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 help the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Stevenson Service Experts today and we’ll come out and provide you a no-charge in-home estimate on a new air conditioner, just in time for spring!