You may have heard that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently placed a ban on R22 refrigerant, which you may know better as “freon,” and that this ban will go into effect on January 1, 2020. R22 is not becoming “illegal,” per se. Stores that have products on their shelves that still use R22 will still be able to sell them. However, there will be no further production or distribution of R22 after the U.S.’s depletes its present stock of it.
The reason for this phase-out is because of R22’s harmful effects on the ozone. Therefore, it will soon become increasingly difficult to find R22 in the U.S.
If your air conditioner or heat pump uses R22, there is no need to panic. You may not necessarily need to do anything right away. However, if your system is older than 10 years old, you are more than likely due for a replacement soon anyway. Call one of our HVAC professionals, and we can set you up with a new, upgraded and cost-effective system that is better for the environment – and for your wallet.
What to Do Next
If you have an air conditioner or heat pump that uses R22, you may be wondering what your next step should be. Frankly, if your system is younger than 10 years old, then you don’t need to do anything at all – at least, not right now. However, you can take proactive measures if you want to comply with the ban the moment it goes into effect. You can either:
- Replace your current unit, or
- Repair your current unit by priming it for a new refrigerant (note that not every system can handle this)
Depending on the cost of priming your current system, you may want to invest a few more dollars and invest in an entirely new system. Our HVAC team at Ambient Edge can evaluate your system and help you determine which move is the better one to make. However, you can choose not to do anything at all, for now, thereby delaying any costs at all until you absolutely must change over.
The risk in doing this, however, is that you chance to go without an air conditioner or heat pump until you can get a new one installed. You, therefore, risk your system breaking down during an extreme weather event, thereby leaving you uncomfortable until you can get it replaced.
Of course, the odds of needing a new system soon are slim if your system is relatively new, but if your system is climbing ever closer to 10 years old, you may want to call a professional to discuss your next steps.
The Rise in Cost of R22
Something else to consider is that, with the reduction in the availability of R22 in the coming months, it is bound to become unaffordable. In fact, the price of R22 has been steadily rising, and considering the upcoming ban, experts expect it to become very expensive by the mid to end of next year.
This may be another reason to consider replacing your system or, if possible, priming it for an upgraded refrigerant. While you may still be able to find R22 in short supply over the next year, it’s possible you may have to pay double for the same amount you needed before. It may end up being more cost-effective in the long run to simply switch over to a new or upgraded system.
Want to Get Ahead of this R22 Ban? Give Ambient Edge a Call!
While you may not need to do anything right now in light of the R22 ban, you may want to replace your system if you know it’s getting up there in age, and that you soon won’t be able to patch any potential leaks of R22. If that’s the case, Ambient Edge can help you pick out a system that’s right for you and your home.
The last thing you want to do when you install a new HVAC system is to opt for an energy-efficient system, only to have it function at twice the power because it is not a good match for your home. Our technicians can measure your home to ensure the system you select will provide the proper output based on the size of the room.
At Ambient Edge, we pride ourselves on our experience and our ability to provide top-quality service and attention for our customers. Give us a call or fill out the contact form on our website, and we can set you up with a new HVAC system in no time. Call today and start experiencing the benefits right away from a more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly HVAC system!