It only goes without saying that everything has a shelf life. That goes for food, beverages and even appliances. Nothing is made to last forever and over time there many things that become obsolete. Whether by the evolution of the product or the understanding it can end up being out of date or style. When it comes to your AC unit there are some general rules about the length of time they are made to last. The majority of units that are maintained and taken care of will last about ten years. That means that when your time is up you will need to have a new unit installed. The other aspect about AC units is that they use a coolant to help the unit cool the air that is then directed in the home to get it to temperature. The coolant that is used is also called the refrigerant and there is one type that has been the main one used for nearly 40 years. R22, more commonly known as Freon has been the number one refrigerant and used on the majority of units across the entire country. The problem is that these units that require R22 will soon be obsolete because the EPA is phasing out R22 as a x refrigerant option.
NY NJ AC Connection Explains What R22 Is & Why It Is Being Phased Out
What is R22 Refrigerant?: This is what the coolant or refrigerant is called that is used on many HVAC units. R22 is called hydro chlorofluorocarbon and is produced here in the United States and other parts of the world. It is used by adding it to a unit that is low on the coolant and it will basically recharge the tank. The unit will then work more efficiently and produce cooler air.
Why Is R22 Being Phased Out?: When it comes to coolant and other types of chemicals, scientists are determining they are more and more prone to causing damage to the ozone. The same is true for R22. They have found that as the coolant is released into the air, the ozone is being damaged and ruined which has a bigger and bigger issue the more we understand the importance.
How Do I Know If My AC Unit Uses R22?: The problem that is coming for many people is that their unit only uses R22 and soon the coolant will not be available. That means that you could soon have a unit that no longer can be repaired or filled with the refrigerant that is needed. The way that you can tell if you are in the group that has an AC unit running on R22 is to check the date manufactured. Any unit that was manufactured after 2010 should no longer take R22. If you have one that was made before 2010 you will need to find a solution. The closer it gets to the 2020 deadline of phasing out R22, the more you need to think about what you will do.
Replacing R22 Condenser with R410A: If you find that your unit is part of the group that uses R22, you need to consult with an HVAC company about updating and replacing your unit with one that runs on R410A, commonly known as Puron or another approved refrigerant. We can help to ensure that you get the right unit for your home.
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