Air Conditioning Refrigerant R22
Many homeowners have heard that some air conditioning refrigerants are harmful to the ozone, but after that, the information gets a little fuzzy. Today we will try to explain, in understandable terms, what these refrigerants are, what’s being done about them and if this has any effect on you.
What are harmful refrigerants?
For short, we’ll just call them “CFC’s” (chlorofluorocarbons). These refrigerants were very safe (non combustible, non-toxic to humans except as an oxygen displacer) and were the most widely used refrigerants until their effects in the atmosphere were understood as a serious environmental problem. A CFC known as R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than four decades. Unfortunately, releases of R-22 that result from system leaks contribute to ozone depletion. On top of that, when companies manufacture R-22, it results in a by-product that contributes significantly to global warming.
What is being done about harmful CFC’s?
Through a series of established requirements from oversight boards in the 1980’s and 1990’s, harmful CFC’s were required to begin a phase out process. While the set of requirements were being set, the U.S. agreed to meet certain obligations by specific dates. The first scheduled deadline came in 2004 when the amount of all HCFCs that could be produced nationwide had to be reduced by 35%. The second deadline is set for the end of this year, 2010, which states that chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing equipment, but not for use in new equipment. The final deadline is set for 2020 which states that no more harmful refrigerant will be able to be produced, only recycled R-22 can be used on old AC equipment still in need.
As the manufacture of R-22 is phased out, manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are beginning to offer equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. New gases to replace the “R-series” refrigerants not only will be used in AC units, but can also be used in medications that treat asthma.
The effects of the phase out
If you have an older AC system that uses R-22 there is no need to panic. R-22 will probably be available for at least the next 20 years or so, considering it can be recycled and reused. Because the availability of R-22 will be dwindling over time, consumers can expect the prices of R-22 and perhaps R-22 service to go up over that time span. For homeowners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there are not any major price shifts expected to happen, just a subtle climb.
Because of the phase out, air and heating units had to be redesigned to fit the uses of different gasses. That, and along with advances in technology, have not only lead to more energy efficient systems, but systems that will reduce your utility bills as well. Products with EPA’s Energy Star(R) label can save homeowners 10% to 40% on their heating and cooling bills every year. Even if your AC unit is only 10 years old, it may still be worth it for the homeowner to switch to a newer model.
