Still Using an Old Air Conditioner? How the Refrigerant Phase Out Will Affect You

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is cracking down on air conditioning equipment that uses ozone-depleting chemicals. If your AC is more than 10 years old, it probably relies on a refrigerant called R-22—but not for long. R-22 is being phased out and will no longer be produced in 2020. Sure, that’s two years from now, so you have some time if your system is running well and has no leaks. If your refrigerant level is low, however, repairing it may not be the most reliable or efficient way to go. If your cooling system is getting older, the following factors can help you make a more informed choice about your future needs:

• Age—a typical air conditioning unit operates really well for about 10 years. After that, repair and efficiency costs start to outweigh benefits. As a rule of thumb, invest in a new unit if your equipment is beyond three-quarters of its life expectancy and repairs will be more than a third of your replacement costs.
• Efficiency—a clear benefit to having new air conditioning equipment in your home or business is energy savings. Upgrading to a high-efficiency unit can reduce your monthly bills by up to 20 percent, not to mention the added savings of eliminating service calls or repairs with retrofitted parts. Look for air conditioners with the new environmentally friendly R410A coolant, and a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of 14 or higher.
• Expertise—the vast majority of heating and air conditioning issues in homes and businesses come from improper installation. According to the EPA, transitioning to a new refrigerant requires the redesign of systems by dealers trained in required installation and service techniques. Gross Heating & Air Conditioning customers get guaranteed comfort because our technicians undergo continuous training to stay ahead of industry standards.

Go Beyond Cool for Total Home Comfort

In addition to replacing outdated air conditioners with high-efficiency models, you can save on energy costs all year long with a smart thermostat, or by using zoning to minimize energy loss in rooms that need less heating or cooling service.

Gross Heating has been winning awards and winning over customers since 1925. As a Carrier® Factory Authorized Dealer, we’re here to help you as well—contact us online or call 262-783-6000 to schedule a free estimate or service.