The R22 Ban: How It Impacts You

R22 is a refrigerant generally utilized in air conditioner items. If in case you have an air con system that was put in earlier than 2010, likelihood is you’ve R22 as your refrigerant. Whereas its use tapered off after that, some newer gear additionally contains it.

R22 has been banned by the federal authorities in america, each to fabricate and to import.

There are environmental and moral causes for this, however these points don’t handle the query on many householders’ minds: What does this imply for my air conditioner?

We’re right here to demystify that query. We’re going to stroll you thru what the ban is, why it was carried out, and every of the implications for A/C methods that use R22 refrigerant.

In case your air conditioner makes use of R22, you might not should act instantly, however ultimately, you’ll should have a plan to cope with your system and transition to a brand new one which makes use of a distinct refrigerant.

Why Is R22 Banned?

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are categorized into Class I and Class II managed substances by the Environmental Safety Company (EPA). Each both have been or are being phased out in america. Class II substances include hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The commonest HCFC in use at the moment is HCFC-22, extra generally generally known as R22.

Phasing out signifies that no new supplies of those sorts could be imported into the nation or produced inside it.

The ban on imports and manufacturing went into impact on Jan. 1, 2020. Which means that transferring ahead, the one R22 obtainable in america is what’s already right here.

The explanation for the ban is just the environmental considerations, that are vital when contemplating all makes use of of Class I and Class II substances. ODS merchandise deplete the ozone, which in flip exposes the Earth to elevated ranges of ultraviolet (UV) mild, which is dangerous in some ways.

In keeping with the EPA, phasing out ODSs is predicted to forestall over 280 million instances of pores and skin most cancers, roughly 1.6 million pores and skin most cancers deaths, and over 45 million instances of cataracts in america alone. UV radiation may also hurt vegetation and numerous ecosystems.

Is R22 Nonetheless Out there?

The brief reply is: Sure, however the fee is climbing quickly as shops diminish.

The longer reply is that, whereas it’s nonetheless obtainable from provide shops or HVAC contractors, everybody’s shops are being depleted and gained’t be getting changed. This does two issues:

1. It will increase the prospect that you simply gained’t be capable to discover R22 simply.
2. It’s going to improve the price of R22 from any vendor.

From the HVAC contractor aspect, nobody is putting in or manufacturing new items that use R22. The manufacturing of air conditioners or warmth pumps that put it to use has equally been banned. Availability of R22 refrigerant itself nonetheless exists, although.

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) have an optimistic view of the transition away from R22. ACCA cites the phaseout of R12 within the Nineteen Nineties as proof {that a} easy transition away from R22 can be doable for householders.

For readability, there are nonetheless R12 shops obtainable immediately, so it’s nearly a assure that R22 can be obtainable for the lifetime of your unit. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply it is going to be cost-effective in comparison with different alternate options.

Actually, if costs climb excessive sufficient, it is going to transfer many householders to interchange their present system, so the ultimate provides of R22 could also be round for a really very long time. Nevertheless, this doesn’t assist somebody seeking to handle their HVAC price range. Costs are climbing, so it is going to stay a consideration for a lot of.

What Does This Imply For Me?

In the intervening time, possibly nothing. In case your A/C unit continues to be operating effectively, there’s no fast motion that must be taken.

What it does imply, although, is that it’s much more vital to have a plan of assault for a brand new air con system in case your present air conditioner makes use of R22.

It additionally means try to be having an trustworthy dialog along with your HVAC upkeep supplier. Does your system use R22? How low is their provide, and the way has this affected pricing?

Some contractors could also be keen to “prime you up” on R22, for instance, however should you want this, it’s as a result of there’s a leak someplace in your system. The leak could also be fixable, nevertheless it’s at this level that the decline of your system will doubtless start to value greater than it’s value, particularly relative to a brand new, extra environment friendly system that doesn’t use R22.

Proactive Upkeep

The easiest way to keep away from considerations over R22 is to have recurrently scheduled upkeep and tune-ups of your whole HVAC gear.

The distinction between a well-maintained system and a uncared for system is years off of the lifespan of your heating and cooling gear. For you, it’d imply the distinction between getting 1-2 extra years out of your R22 air conditioner, or 8-10 extra years.

R22 FAQs

We communicate to a whole bunch of house owners with R22 A/C methods, and have heard nearly as many questions relating to their use. Under we’ve listed a handful of widespread questions and their solutions.

What does refrigerant do in my air con system?

Refrigerant flows by coils in your air con gear. In the course of the cooling course of, it transforms between liquid and gaseous states.

Relying on its state, it will possibly extra simply take in or emit warmth. By making the journey from indoor to out of doors air con items because the stress adjustments, it traps warmth and removes it, earlier than biking again. The air within the system is cooled on this means, and is moved all through your home by a mixture of HVAC gear and ductwork in your house.

Completely different refrigerants require completely different pressures to function effectively, or in any respect. This, in flip, requires correct gear to keep up the right pressures at numerous factors of the method.

Can an R22 air conditioner use a distinct refrigerant?

No, and it will be harmful and inefficient to attempt. Refrigerants function at completely different pressures, which necessitates particular elements and gear to handle the stress correctly. An R22 system won’t be calibrated for a distinct stress.

This may additionally doubtless void any warranties you’ve in your present system.

Different proposed stand-ins could be flammable, which an R22 system is just not ready to deal with. The fee to aim to retrofit your gear would already method the price of a model new system, and the potential risks ought to additional warn you away from anybody claiming in any other case.

Can I substitute different elements in my R22 system that don’t have anything to do with the refrigerant?

Probably, however since R22 itself is now not being manufactured, producers are slowing down manufacturing on related elements as properly. Some elements are simpler to restore or substitute than others, so it’s greatest to seek the advice of with a trusted HVAC associate to evaluate your choices.

What occurs to R22 that’s eliminated? Is it merely leaked into the ambiance?

It ought to by no means merely be launched into the ambiance. Sadly, this does occur.

The correct methodology of disposing of R22 is by an EPA-certified HVAC technician. We acquire the refrigerant in sealed canisters and return it to processing facilities that may safely eliminate it.

How is R22 completely different from Freon?

Freon is a trademarked title and contains a number of refrigerants. Your contractor could confer with your refrigerant as Freon, however for the R22 ban, whether or not or not it’s thought of an ozone-depleting substance is the vital issue.

How do I do know if my system makes use of R22?

Generally that is listed on the unit itself. Different instances, you’ll should search for your model and mannequin sort on-line. If that step additionally fails, your HVAC installer or upkeep associate can help in figuring out the refrigerant sort.

What’s the most effective refrigerant to be utilizing now?

The commonest is R410A, which is extra environmentally pleasant than R22 and is actively in manufacturing in america. Different refrigerants do exist, some in experimental or testing levels, however R410A is what you’re almost definitely to see being utilized in fashionable items.

Changing or Repairing an R22 System

Does this imply it’s important to substitute your R22 system someday quickly? No, not essentially. Relying on the age and state of operation of your air conditioner, you should still have a number of years of life left earlier than issues come up.

Nevertheless, that can change the second your system springs a leak or one other half must be changed. Restore prices on older methods are sometimes excessive sufficient that it’s prudent to contemplate changing the system anyway. If a system has R22 and its refrigerant and/or elements are considerably costlier to restore, this equation will rapidly make substitute the proper selection.

For the 1000’s of house owners who’re hoping to get a couple of further years out of their air con system, the time to seek the advice of along with your HVAC associate is now. It could not imply an instantaneous resolution, however a dialog about prices, availability, and choices now might prevent time, cash, and energy at a later date and keep away from the huge headache of changing a completely damaged system.

RELATED: Ought to I Restore or Exchange My Air Conditioner?

Act Now

Finally, the environmental and moral implications for continued R22 use imply that it’s an excellent factor that it’s being phased out. Trendy HVAC expertise is extra environment friendly and environmentally pleasant, making it an important mixture of upgrades in comparison with older gear.

The vital half now could be ensuring that you’ll be able to transition easily to a brand new air conditioner, whether or not that’s this 12 months or in 10 years.

Whether or not you’re merely fact-finding in an effort to coach your self on R22 and what it means for you, or in case you are starting the method to restore or substitute your R22 system, this can be a nice time to guage every of the choices listed above. If you happen to’re in Columbus, Ohio or surrounding areas, we’d like to have considered one of our Hearth & Ice licensed professionals stroll you thru every of your choices so that you simply’re ready to make no matter resolution is correct to your dwelling.

Verify to see should you’re in our service space beneath, and we hope to talk to you quickly!