R22 is Phasing Out
In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with warmer temperatures approaching, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning wanted to remind you of your courses of action.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioner installed before 2010, it most likely uses R22 refrigerant, which is what causes the air coming from your air conditioner to be cool and comfortable. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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 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 obtain recycled R22 now for existing AC equipment that use this particular refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is increasing because of the decreasing supply, and will not 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 affect you. However, if your air conditioner was made before January 2010, you have a couple options:
1) Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which can use 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 air conditioner refrigerant. However, this is not recommended because it could void your warranty(ies).
3) Stick with 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 agonize 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 conditioning system, just in time for spring!
