In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with summer approaching, Roland J. Down Service Experts wanted to remind you of your choices.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioner installed earlier than 2010, it most likely uses R22 refrigerant, which is what keeps the air coming from your air conditioner cool and pleasant. The [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]9] began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was contributing to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Starting in 2010, the making and importing of R22 was prohibited and by 2020, R22 will essentially no longer be allowed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
R22 refrigerant is no longer produced in North America.
You can obtain recycled R22 now for existing air conditioners that use this particular refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is going up because of the reducing supply, and won’t be available for use at all by 2020.
GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
If your air conditioner was manufactured 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) Invest in an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which uses the approved air conditioner refrigerant.
2) Call an HVAC company to replace the parts in your current AC equipment to help make it compatible with approved air conditioner refrigerant. However, 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 issue 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 help the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Roland J. Down Service Experts today and we’ll come out and provide you a no-charge in-home estimate on a new AC system, just in time for spring!