In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with cooling season approaching, Parker Pearce Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 keeps the air coming from your air conditioner cool and pleasant. The United States EPA began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was adding 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 pretty much no longer be allowed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
R22 refrigerant is no longer produced in North America.
You can obtain recycled R22 now for existing air conditioning systems that use this certain refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is rising because of the dropping supply, and will not be obtainable for use at all by 2020.
GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
If your AC equipment was manufactured after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably doesn’t apply to you. However, if your AC equipment was made before January 2010, you have a couple options:
1) Invest in an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which uses the approved A/C 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 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 trouble of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to worry about the increasing costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to improve the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Parker Pearce Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today and we’ll come out and provide you a complimentary in-home estimate on a new AC system, just in time for spring!