Last summer we told you about the R22 phase out and with cooling season approaching, Coastal Service Experts wanted to remind you of your options.
RECAP:
If you have air conditioning equipment installed prior to 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]9] began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was compounding the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Beginning in 2010, the production and import of R22 was prohibited and by 2020, R22 will essentially no longer be allowed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
R22 refrigerant is no longer made in North America.
You can purchase recycled R22 now for existing AC equipment that use this particular refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is going up because of the dropping supply, and won’t be available 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 air conditioner was manufactured before January 2010, you have a few options:
1) Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which uses the approved A/C refrigerant.
2) Call an HVAC company to replace the parts in your current air conditioner to help make it compatible with approved A/C refrigerant. Understand, though, this is not recommended because it could nullify 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 worry about the increasing costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to improve the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Coastal Service Experts today and we’ll come out and provide you a free in-home estimate on a new AC system, just in time for spring!