Is your air conditioner more than two or three years old? If so, it almost certainly uses R-22 refrigerant (sometimes referred to as the brand name Freon). R-22 is being phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties, and as supplies dwindle over the next several years, its price will continue to skyrocket. Some experts expect that R-22 refrigerant prices this summer will be three times what they were a year ago.
And the situation isn’t expected to get any better in the years leading up to 2020, when no more R-22 will be produced or imported. This situation is adding increased urgency to the repair-or-replace decision when it comes to older A/Cs and heat pumps. (If you have cooling equipment that was manufactured before 2010, it likely uses R-22. Newer equipment uses a refrigerant formula, R-410A, that’s better for the environment.)
A/Cs and heat pumps running on R-22 refrigerant that are well-maintained and running smoothly shouldn’t need replacement, even with the rising cost of R-22. However, if you have cooling equipment more than 10 years old, or that’s experiencing breakdowns and maintenance problems, you should probably consider the benefits of upgrading to a high-efficiency system that runs on the replacement refrigerant.
Breakdowns of your old cooling equipment that require recharging the refrigerant will become cost-prohibitive as time passes, and a new, high-efficiency A/C or heat pump will provide ample savings on your energy bills, usually enough to pay off the equipment before it reaches half of its life span. Also, if you’ve already been thinking about a new air conditioner, this is a great time to start looking. Keep your eye out for the federal Energy Star label, as Energy Star-endorsed equipment is guaranteed to bring you significant savings on energy.
At Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning, we can help you weigh the factors involved in deciding whether to purchase a new air conditioner. For more tips on cooling and heating your home and other home comfort topics, contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving the Twin Cities Metro area for more than 37 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about R-22 refrigerants and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!