How To Find Out If Your Air Conditioner Uses R-22
Is your air conditioning system old and outdated? If so, you should be aware that the R22 refrigerant in your AC system is no longer in production. Likewise, it is no longer being imported. Therefore, if you need a refrigerant recharge, you should expect to pay a high cost for it. Read on to learn as much as possible about the R22 refrigerant phaseout and how to determine whether your AC equipment runs on this obsolete product.
Whether it is your home or your business, running air conditioning equipment that’s obsolete is never a recommended practice. For one thing, older units use more energy, they perform quite poorly, and the repair costs can be through the roof.
What’s more, older systems that run on R22 refrigerant will be extremely costly to repair if they have a refrigerant leak. Coolant leaks are common, especially in older systems. If your unit that runs on R22 refrigerant springs a leak, you’ll need to make a huge decision about either replacing or repairing the unit.
It’s important to note that the government has phased out the production and importation of R22, so due to low supplies and high demands, the R22 refrigerant prices have become unbelievably expensive. Just recharging your system can end up costing about half the cost of a new system that’s much more energy-efficient. So, it’s wise and highly recommended to replace the old air conditioning unit with a new one.
Determining Your Cooling Options
Table of Contents
- 1 Ways To Recognize That Your Air Conditioner Utilizes R22 Refrigerant In New York
- 1.1 1. Check The Manufacturing Date On Your AC System
- 1.2 2. Check The AC Installation Date
- 1.3 3. Refer To The Air Conditioner’s Manufacturer Specifications
- 1.4 4. Contact the Manufacturer Of Your Cooling System
- 1.5 5. Speak With An HVAC Contractor In New York
- 1.6 The R22 Phaseout And What You Need To Know
- 1.7 What Kind Of Air Conditioning Options Do You Have In New York?
- 1.8 Call Hart Home Comfort For All Of Your AC Needs
It’s vital to determine whether your AC runs on R22 refrigerant. For those lucky enough to have a unit manufactured after 2010, economical repair options are available. The reason for this is that after 2010, manufacturers incorporated Puron, or R-410A, as an alternative. Any unit manufactured before 2010 most likely runs on R22 refrigerant. Therefore, to understand your situation, determining the type of refrigerant used in your system is necessary.
It is also essential for consumers to understand that, although older air conditioning systems are performing adequately at this moment, they will need to prepare for its inevitable replacement. So, for these consumers, it would be best for them to begin saving up for a new AC unit.
Ways To Recognize That Your Air Conditioner Utilizes R22 Refrigerant In New York
1. Check The Manufacturing Date On Your AC System
One of the easiest ways to determine whether the AC unit utilizes R22 refrigerant is to check the manufacturing date. This information would be on the data plate located either on the air handler or the condenser unit of the AC. For units manufactured before 1996, they would use R22. However, any units manufactured between the years 1996 and 2009 inclusive, further research would be required because they could be running on either R22 or Puron (R-410A). It is almost guaranteed that air conditioning units manufactured in 2010 or later would run on Puron.
2. Check The AC Installation Date
The AC installation date is also helpful in determining the refrigerant type used in your unit, whether it is R22 or Puron. Due to the government R22 phaseout, according to the regulations of the EPA, from 2010 and on, AC units running on R22 were illegal to install. So, it is highly likely that R22 refrigerant is not used in your unit if it was installed in 2010 or afterward.
3. Refer To The Air Conditioner’s Manufacturer Specifications
The type of refrigerant used by a unit is typically indicated on the unit by the manufacturer. This information can be found on the nameplate located on the condenser unit. Therefore, it is essential to check this nameplate to determine the type of refrigerant used by your AC. In addition to that, there are certification stickers that indicate whether the air conditioning system is R22-free. Try to locate the information promptly to know what your next step will be.
4. Contact the Manufacturer Of Your Cooling System
Call the manufacturer of your unit if you are unable to locate the nameplate, or if the information is unclear. You can count on customer service representatives to provide the information you require. However, to get this information, you’ll have to research the make and model of the cooling equipment.
5. Speak With An HVAC Contractor In New York
All HVAC experts recommend a tune-up for your air conditioner yearly. It is a vital aspect of keeping your cooling system in good condition.
Upon servicing the cooling system, discuss this matter with your HVAC service provider. Technicians that are NATE-certified can inspect the unit and let you know what type of refrigerant it uses. Moreover, they are well trained and capable of recognizing AC models that utilize R22 refrigerant.
For those in New York and Long Island, be sure to contact Hart Home Comfort to schedule an appointment. Our NATE certified technicians can inspect your unit and help find the best cooling solutions for your home or office.
The R22 Phaseout And What You Need To Know
The EPA has slowly phased out R22 over the years until it reached its final date of January 1, 2020. This means that it is no longer imported or produced. This has driven up the cost of R22 due to its limited supply. However, manufacturers no longer produce R22, creating the R22 shortage of supply. The illegal refrigerant has become exorbitantly costly. A medium-size air conditioning unit that runs on R22, for example, can cost as much as half the price to purchase a brand-new, energy-efficient AC system.
What Kind Of Air Conditioning Options Do You Have In New York?
Ultimately, the best option for properties that have R22 refrigerant AC units would be to do away with the old and replace it with a new one. R22 is used only in older units. That means that these older units are far less efficient than newer ones, can frequently break down, and often perform quite poorly. So, the best thing to do is to replace them.
Should there be a leak, recharging the older unit would cost too much money. Instead, save money by replacing the older unit that runs on R22 with the new, energy-efficient AC unit.
Not only will you save money by reducing energy consumption, but also on repair costs. You will also increase your comfort. To replace your old unit with a new one, call a reputable HVAC contractor in your area.
Most HVAC companies provide financing options to customers with good credit. So, if you don’t have the money on hand to pay for a new AC unit, contact a company that gives you financing options, like convenient payment plans.
Call Hart Home Comfort For All Of Your AC Needs
Turn to Hart Home Comfort, an HVAC service provider with credentials, offering affordable services to customers in the area. We take pride in providing extraordinary HVAC services to our customers. We repair, install, and tune-up heating and cooling units.
Year after year, Hart Home Comfort’s goal is to outshine competitors in the area by offering affordable prices and friendly service.
Contact Hart Home Comfort today to learn more about our systems and services. We will gladly schedule a convenient appointment to meet with our representatives for consultation at no charge. Whatever your concerns, we’ll help you find the best cooling solutions for your home.
For any questions about what Hart Home Comfort can do for you, give us a call today. Click here to contact us now or call us at (631) 667-3200 to find out more!