In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with summer approaching, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning wanted to remind you of your options.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioner installed before 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what keeps the air coming from your air conditioner cool and pleasant. 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.
Launching 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 air conditioners that use this specific refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is going up because of the decreasing supply, and will no longer be obtainable for use at all by 2020.
GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
If your air conditioner was made after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably won’t apply to you. However, if your AC equipment was made before January 2010, you have a few options:
1) Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which requires the approved air conditioner refrigerant.
2) Call a professional 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 invalidate your warranty(ies).
3) Keep using recycled R22 until 2020.
READY TO BE DONE WITH IT?
If you don’t want to panic about the issue 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today and we’ll come out and provide you a free in-home estimate on a new air conditioner, just in time for spring!