If you own a home with an air conditioner, I’ll tell you right now that I’m jealous. As someone who has a swamp cooler at their home, I’ve dreamt about having consistent cool air blowing through my home no matter how hot it may be outside—one of the goals for my next house.
Jealousy aside, you lucky air conditioner owners may or may not be aware that you’ll most likely need to replace your awesome cooling unit with a newer one. If you have an air conditioner that uses R22 refrigerant, then this message is for you. While those types of air conditioners are still pumping cool air into many homes across the country, they’re also being phased out. This means that the refrigerant will become harder and harder to find, and thus making repairs to those air conditioners more expensive.
Many people call into our office and say, “I think my air conditioner just needs another pound of refrigerant.” While that’s probably the case, remember that that pound is expensive to start with, and will only carry a higher price tag as time goes on. Even if the AC is low on refrigerant, the entire unit will still need to be thoroughly inspected to be sure that’s the only item going on with it or if there’s something else that needs to be addressed.
What’s The Reasoning Behind The R22 Refrigerant Phase-Out?
What’s the deal with this refrigerant being phased out? Well, according to goodmanmfg.com, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) implemented a ban in 2010 on the production and import of R22, except for servicing already existing equipment. The people with Goodman also advise that if you’re not sure what type of refrigerant your AC uses, you can check the label on the unit, or you can ask your trusted HVAC technician when they come to your home.
If you have an air conditioner that requires this refrigerant and want to avoid sticker shock from the increasingly expensive refrigerant, you’re probably wondering what you can replace your cooling unit with. You have plenty of options, such as mini-splits, a package unit (this has the AC and furnace together in the same unit), or even a newer type of AC that takes a different kind of refrigerant, such as R410A.
What are the best choices for you, your home, and your wallet? The talented HVAC technicians with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling can come to your home and provide you with a free estimate* with your options. Whether you’re converting from a swamp cooler to an AC, or if you’re looking to update your current AC, we have the know-how to keep you cool this summer and for many summers to come! Contact us today!