Last summer we told you about the R22 phase out and with summer approaching, Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts wanted to remind you of your courses of action.
RECAP:
If you have air conditioning equipment installed prior to 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 adding to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Starting in 2010, the manufacturing and importing 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 AC equipment that use this particular refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is rising because of the decreasing 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 produced after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably doesn’t apply to you. However, if your air conditioning system was made before January 2010, you have a couple options:
1) Buy an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which requires 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 void your warranty(ies).
3) Stick with using recycled R22 until 2020.
READY TO BE DONE WITH IT?
If you don’t want to have to worry about the issue of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to stress about the soaring costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to improve the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Bryant Heating & Cooling 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!