R22 Refrigerant Phaseout: What You Need To Know
R22 aka Freon is a very common refrigerant used in air conditioning units across the United States. Due to its negative environmental impact, the EPA has been phasing out residential use of R22 for over a decade and it is no longer being produced or imported. With many systems still using R22 today, here’s a brief overview of what you need to know:
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R22 (HCFC-22) is a chemical used in both air conditioning units and heat pumps. The liquid refrigerant runs through the system continuously, absorbing and releasing heat in order to provide cool air to the home.
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When released into the air, R22 contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. In an effort to protect the ozone layer and slow climate change, the EPA is phasing out production of many ozone-depleting substances.
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If your air conditioning unit is more than 10 years old, it most likely uses R22. There are a few ways to know for sure: You can check the owner’s manual or look for the data plate located on the outside condensing unit; both will be labeled with HCFC-22 if the unit uses R22. Or, you can give us a call to have one of our technicians or Comfort Specialists come take a look.
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Most R22 units are nearing the end of their lifespan so it is only a matter of time before they will need to be replaced. Because R22 is not longer in production, the cost of this refrigerant has increased based on supply and demand.
We strongly encourage homeowners to start budgeting now for a replacement unit as R22 supply decreases in availability each year.
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Please contact us at 203-227-5181 or info@gaultenergy.com if you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our Comfort Specialists or Technicians.
