Freon in your AC has been phased out. If you have an older HVAC unit, chances are good that it uses a refrigerant called R-22 Freon, also known as HCFC-22 Freon. Within the decades, the Environmental Protection Agency has learned that the refrigerant has been contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and initiated its phaseout.
You are probably wondering how this phaseout is going to affect you. We have compiled a list of our most commonly asked questions to help you better understand what will happen to your older unit.
When will the phaseout of the coolant begin?
The phaseout of R-22 refrigerant actually began decades ago when the EPA realized its harmful effects on the ozone layer. It began by limiting the supply of R-22 by small, incremental amounts over the years. This affected all of us with the slowly increasing prices as the R-22 was being limited. The EPA’s plan is in its final phase, where beginning January 1, 2020, a ban on the U.S. production and import on R-22 was enacted.
Will the production of R-22 be stopped completely?
Yes, in the United States, production completely halted as of January 1, 2020. It is no longer imported from countries that still produce R-22. As more of the older HVAC units are replaced, R-22 may be recovered and then reused in units that are still in working order.
How will this impact my older unit and its future repairs?
You may not feel any impact for years to come. However, as your older unit requires maintenance and repairs, you will notice an increase in the cost to fix your system. The cost of AC freon is expected to skyrocket over the coming months and years. This will make your repairs much more expensive. Eventually, a replacement of your air conditioning system may actually be more cost-effective than repairing it.
What are the advantages of replacing the unit?
A new air conditioning unit may actually save you money in the long run. New AC units are much more efficient than the older ones. Another upside is that it helps the environment.
Older units have to work much harder to provide a consistent level of cooling. This oftentimes makes your energy bills higher. Our customers who have made the switch to high-efficiency systems have reported saving hundreds of dollars per year. Such huge savings mean that you will be able to make up the cost difference within a few years. There is even a tax credit for those who install EnergyStar models, incentivizing the purchase of high-efficiency HVAC systems even more.
New, high-efficiency units also boast vastly improved cooling over the older units. An efficient system will cool all areas of your home that the older unit may not have been able to reach. Another benefit of a new system is that it is going to much quieter than your old unit. Your old ACs condenser had to work longer and harder, making quite a racket in some cases. Some new units even feature sound dampening, making them even quieter.
American Air Cares has over 100 years of combined experience. They are your local experts in the installation, repair, and maintenance of air conditioning systems. While the phaseout of AC freon may not affect you for years to come, we will be here for all of your HVAC service in Port St. Lucie and surrounding areas for your air conditioning, heating, and air quality needs.
Contact us today for your free consultation.
