One of the most important components of the HVAC system is refrigerant due to refrigerant is responsible for cooling the air in your home. Without refrigerants, your air conditioner cannot change the temperature of the air in your home. If you have a heat pump, refrigerants are also responsible for heating the air in your home as well.
While R-22 has been the most commonly used refrigerant by most HVAC manufacturers, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began the process of phasing out R-22 due to extensive research showing that R-22 has drastic effects on the ozone layer and the ecosystem in general. The leakage of R-22 in the atmosphere can cause severe damage to the planet and cause ozone depletion.
In 2010, the manufacture of new units that use R-22 became illegal but because R-22 was so commonly used, it could not be eliminated overnight. With a step-by-step phase-out, homeowners are given the option to switch to the new chlorine-free refrigerant when they see the need to change out their air conditioner systems.
Because of the ban of R-22, air conditioning manufacturers were tasked with redesigning their systems to operate with a chlorine-free refrigerant compared to R-22. The result was a redesign that uses R-410A, the refrigerant that would replace R-22 in the new HVAC equipment.
After 2020, any air conditioning system that uses R-22 and needs servicing, will have to depend on the continued rising cost of R-22, which could be as much as $200 a pound, reclaimed refrigerant that is not as pure as unused R-22, or HVAC companies eventually be unable to find R-22 altogether due to a rapidly dwindling supply.
As stated earlier, the replacement of R-22 is R-410A. If you purchased a system after 2010, the chances are extremely high that it uses R410. While both R-22 and R-410A do the same job, they are vastly different. R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon and is one of the last ozone-depleting substances commonly used. R-410A is not a hydrochlorofluorocarbon and is much better at absorbing and releasing heat. It is also much more efficient.
So, you might ask, “Why should I make the change?”
Here are a few of the biggest reasons to make the change to R-410A:
- Reduces Ozone Damage
- Reduced Cost
- Improved Efficiency
- Improved Performance
- Available Tax Credits and Rebates
Unfortunately, you cannot just use R-410A in an R-22 system due to the modern style of refrigerant uses a significant amount more pressure to work. The compressors on an R-22 unit cannot keep up. If you were to use R-410A in an R-22 system, it could cause failure in your system.
If you are thinking about making a change, we offer affordable, professional HVAC installation throughout Texas, including Dallas, TX or Fort Worth, TX areas including Colleyville, TX; Grapevine, TX; Keller, TX; Roanoke, TX; and Southlake, TX. Contact us today at AGES Services Company at 817-851-8155 to discuss options and schedule one of our experienced Home Comfort Experts for a visit.
