Your air conditioner’s refrigerant is crucial for fast and effective cooling at home. One coolant, Freon, was used extensively and can still be found in homes across the country. If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely that it uses Freon.
R-22 Freon was found to be environmentally harmful and is being slowly phased out of use. As a result, R-22 air conditioners are much more difficult to maintain as the supply of Freon diminishes. Paying to keep your old AC system around may no longer be worth it. Thankfully, you have access to professional help for R-22 replacement.
Aspinwall Plumbing & Heating can provide fast and hassle-free air conditioning installation in Quincy, MA, and the surrounding communities. We can swap your R-22 air conditioner for a new model with more environmentally friendly coolant options. For more than 50 years, we’ve helped families all along the South Shore with cooling problems just like this.
Here’s some additional info about R-22 Freon and how you can find the ideal replacement.
What Is R-22 Freon?
R-22 is also known as Freon or HCFC-22. Like other refrigerants, Freon traps heat drawn from the air inside your home. Over time, it became the most popular choice for AC refrigerants and an HVAC industry standard.
Along with many other environmental agencies and organizations, the EPA recommended phasing out Freon after it was discovered to be contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer. Regulations were put in place to slowly replace Freon, and the air conditioners that use it, with more energy-efficient alternatives.
Is R-22 Being Phased Out?
R-22 has been slowly phased out since 2010, and as of 2020 it is no longer permitted for use unless it comes from a recycled supply. This has led to a sharp increase in prices, which will only continue to rise as scarcity increases. And because R-22 must now be bought by an EPA-certified technician, there are fewer places to find it.
As you can imagine, homeowners with an R-22 cooling system will have much more trouble finding quality air conditioner repair in Quincy, MA. You’ll probably be better off replacing it with a new model—one that uses another refrigerant. You can find out what coolant your air conditioning uses by checking the appliance’s nameplate.
What Is R-22 Refrigerant Being Replaced With?
There are now several alternative coolants available, including R-32, R-407c and R-410a. Known as Puron, R-410a is quickly becoming the new refrigerant of choice. It offers many benefits in addition to being more environmentally friendly. For example, it transfers heat more efficiently than R-22. You’ll use less energy when cooling your home, which could lead to lower monthly bills!
Some companies may offer to retrofit your old air conditioner so it can use new refrigerants, but this is rarely a good idea. Many new components must be installed, since R-410a requires different conditions than R-22 for safe use. Many things can go wrong, and you’ll end up spending more money than what a replacement air conditioner costs.
Call Aspinwall for Pro R-22 Air Conditioner Installation
Aspinwall Plumbing & Heating can help you swap your R-22 air conditioner with a powerful and affordable replacement. We work with top brands like Lennox®, and our team of friendly professionals can make any installation feel like a breeze. We can even keep your new air conditioner in the best possible shape through routine air conditioning maintenance in Quincy, MA.
Avoiding the downsides of R-22 freon is easier than you think. Give us a call at (617) 539-7672 today to request a quote or to schedule an appointment. You’ll soon discover why people in and around Quincy, MA, consider us the best HVAC service around!