R22 is Phasing Out
We told you last summer about the R22 phase out and with cooling season approaching, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing wanted to remind you of your choices.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioner installed prior to 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what makes the air coming from your air conditioner cool and comfy. 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.
Beginning 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 purchase recycled R22 now for existing air conditioning systems that use this certain refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is increasing because of the dropping supply, and will not be available 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 manufactured before January 2010, you have a couple options:
1) Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which uses 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) Keep using recycled R22 until 2020.
READY TO BE DONE WITH IT?
If you don’t want to stress about the hassle 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 love the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today and we’ll come out and provide you a no-charge in-home estimate on a new air conditioning system, just in time for spring!