Last summer we told you about the R22 phase out and with warmer temperatures approaching, BW/Cook Service Experts wanted to remind you of your options.
RECAP:
If you have an air conditioning system installed earlier than 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what makes the air coming from your air conditioner cool and pleasant. The [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]9] began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was compounding the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Beginning in 2010, the production and import of R22 was prohibited and by 2020, R22 will essentially no longer be allowed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
R22 refrigerant is no longer produced in North America.
You can get recycled R22 now for existing air conditioning systems that use this specific refrigerant.
The cost of R22 is increasing because of the decreasing supply, and won’t be available for use at all by 2020.
GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
If your air conditioner was made after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably won’t affect you. However, if your air conditioner was manufactured before January 2010, you have some options:
1) Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which requires the approved A/C refrigerant.
2) Call a professional to replace the parts in your current AC equipment to help make it compatible with approved A/C refrigerant. Understand, though, this is not recommended because it could nullify your warranty(ies).
3) Keep using recycled R22 until 2020.
READY TO BE DONE WITH IT?
If you don’t want to stress about the trouble of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to worry about the soaring costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to love the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call BW/Cook Service Experts today and we’ll come out and provide you a complimentary in-home estimate on a new air conditioning system, just in time for spring!