We told you last summer about the R22 phase out and with warmer temperatures approaching, wanted to remind you of your choices.
RECAP:
If you have air conditioning equipment 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.
Beginning in 2010, the production and import 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 purchase recycled R22 now for existing air conditioners that use this specific refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is rising because of the reducing supply, and will no longer be available for use at all by 2020.
GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
If your air conditioning system was produced after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably won’t apply to you. However, if your air conditioning system was made before January 2010, you have a few options:
1) Invest in an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which requires the approved AC refrigerant.
2) Call an HVAC company to replace the parts in your current air conditioning system to help make it compatible with approved AC refrigerant. However, 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 stress about the issue of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to stress about the increasing costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to improve the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call today and we’ll come out and provide you a complimentary in-home estimate on a new AC system, just in time for spring!
