If it's been a while since you last replaced your air-conditioning system, you might face compliance issues with your unit in the new year. As of January 1, 2020, the United States banned the use of the R22 refrigerant, commonly known as Freon. Producing or importing R22 is now illegal, making it scarce and expensive. It's crucial to consider air conditioner repair or replacement to avoid these challenges.
When the supply of R22 is depleted, your only option will be to replace or retrofit your HVAC Nashville system with one that utilizes R410A refrigerant. While you can continue using your R22 air-conditioning unit, once the refrigerant level falls to the point where it no longer produces cold air, you'll likely need to replace your system.
Environmental Impact
An air-conditioning system needs refrigerant to produce cold air. Over the last several years, R22 refrigerant has been phased out because of its ozone depletion potential and high global warming potential. A new, more environmentally friendly refrigerant has been developed. R410A refrigerant is completely chlorine-free. To help homeowners make the transition, for the last five or more years, manufacturers have been manufacturing only air-conditioning equipment that uses the R410A refrigerant. Besides making it illegal to manufacture or sell R22 refrigerant, it is also be illegal to manufacture equipment that uses R22.
Air-Conditioning System Replacement
You can still run your R22 air-conditioning system after January 1, 2020, but once the refrigerant has been used up, and the system has nothing left to generate cold air, you will need to replace your system. You can call in an AC replacement company to measure your R22 level. If you have a good level of R22 refrigerant, you may be able to get an additional year or two before needing to replace your system, depending on how much you use your air-conditioning. This will give you time to start saving to purchase a new system.
Retrofit Option
Some heating and cooling companies offer a retrofit option. You can't simply use R410A refrigerant on air-conditioning systems designed to use R22 refrigerant. Both refrigerants need different pressure levels to work properly. Retrofit kits are available that allow an R22 system to use R410A refrigerants. But these retrofit kits won't work with all makes and models of AC systems. Contact your AC repair company to determine if this option will work for you and get it professionally installed.
How to Know What Your System Uses
The best way to know if your air-conditioning system uses R22 or R410A is to read the label on the condenser. The condenser is the part of the air-conditioning system that sits outside your house. If the label isn't legible from sun or weather damage, write down the name of the manufacturer, serial number, and model number and search online.
To learn more about the R22 phaseout and your air-conditioning system, call Shumate Mechanical at 470-433-0915. You can also visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency website to view frequently asked questions and answers.
