The R-22 Phase Out: Repair or Replace?
With R-22 phased out on Jan. 1, 2020, homeowners with air conditioners that use it have a choice to make. They can either repair or replace their AC unit. Here are the issues involved with making that decision.
What Is R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
R-22 is a refrigerant that most people know as Freon. The EPA ordered it to be phased out as of Jan. 1, 2020, due to its negative impact on the environment. The only R-22 refrigerant that could be sold after Jan. 1, 2020, was either produced prior to this date or repurposed.
Most air conditioners produced before 2010 use R-22. Air conditioning manufacturers began phasing out the production of products using this refrigerant that year.
Repairing Your Air Conditioner
Homeowners who have an AC unit that uses R-22 will have to pay increasingly more if they choose to have a repair requiring their refrigerant to be charged. As supplies dwindle, the cost of replacing this refrigerant will skyrocket.
Some AC units can be converted to use a different type of refrigerant. This type of conversion is expensive, though, and likely voids the air conditioner’s warranty.
Replacing an R-22 AC Unit
One of the advantages of replacing an R-22 air conditioner is that you get to make the switch on your own schedule. If your AC unit using this refrigerant breaks down, you could have to pay for an emergency replacement. This is much more expensive than regularly scheduled replacement.
Another advantage of having a replacement now is that you’ll have a much more efficient air conditioner. New AC units are far more efficient than the ones built 10 years or more ago. This will reduce your monthly electricity bills. It’s also an investment in your home and your climate comfort needs.
1st Choice Service Group Heating & Air in Asheville, NC, is a locally owned company that installs, repairs, and maintains air conditioners. We also provide a full line of services for furnaces. Our other services include indoor air quality assessments and solutions, smart thermostats with zoning capabilities, and geothermal systems. Call us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about the ways we can be of service to you.