R-22 Phaseout
Mitchell strives to offer industry-leading warranties on all of our repairs and workmanship.
R-22 refrigerant, most recognizable by the brand name Freon®, has been used for decades as the primary refrigerant in residential HVAC applications. In recent years, it was determined that R-22 refrigerant was contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer. The United States EPA, as well as other organizations around the world, began a phaseout of the use and production of R-22 refrigerant. R-410a is the new recognized standard in residential HVAC applications. All equipment manufactured starting in the year 2010 was made to use R-410a refrigerant.
The production of R-22 was dropped down in phases each year until the year 2020. As of 2020, production of new R-22 will be completely banned. After production ceases,R-22 can still be used until the existing supply is diminished. As the supply diminishes, the price and also availability can become unpredictable.
If your system is a 2010 model or newer, you are probably not affected. You can check the data panel on your HVAC equipment to determine what kind of refrigerant your system uses. If you have a maintenance agreement with us, our technician can discuss with you on your next maintenance visit if you are affected or not. If your system is older than a 2010 model and/or uses R-22 refrigerant, you don’t need to be especially concerned unless your system is leaking refrigerant, develops a leak in the future, or also needs a repair that would require evacuating or adding more refrigerant (like a compressor change).
The phaseout of R-22 refrigerant will not have any affect on systems that operate on R-410a refrigerant.
You need to start budgeting for the eventual replacement of your system. The average life of a residential HVAC system is 10-12 years. It’s not really a matter of if your system will malfunction, therefore it’s a matter of when. Not all repairs involve refrigerant, your system can easily be repaired when minor parts fail and therefore remain in use for several more years. However, if you have already experienced a R-22 refrigerant leak or if your system develops a leak, or requires a repair that uses refrigerant, you will need to seriously consider replacement. The cost of obtaining R-22 is increasing and the availability is decreasing. There is no guarantee that when the time comes for you to need R-22 that it will be either available or also affordable.
Refrigerant flows through the outdoor coil and the indoor coil, as well as the copper line that connects the two. The entire system needs to use the same refrigerant. HVAC equipment manufactured before 2010 was designed to use R-22 refrigerant and equipment manufactured after 2010 uses R-410a. Since the two refrigerants are different and require different operation specifications, the two types of equipment are often not compatible. If you have a gas system, the furnace may not need to be replaced also, but it may be more cost effective to upgrade the entire system rather than waiting for the furnace to fail at a later date. In some cases, one component of your system can be replaced and if the other portion later fails, it may be made compatible with minor modifications.
There are alternatives to R-22 being sold. However, we do not recommend them for a few reasons. One, you can’t mix refrigerant, so if you needed just a couple of pounds of refrigerant to get you going again and R-22 is not an option, all the refrigerant in your system would have to be reclaimed and the new refrigerant installed. This would also require changing some parts in your system to accommodate the new refrigerant. This kind of repair could potentially damage your system and it would more than likely be a temporary fix. In some cases, using the alternate refrigerant and the cost of making the necessary component changes, can be comparable to the cost of purchasing new equipment. In addition, most manufacturers have not recommended or approved the use of these refrigerants due to concerns over compatibility, safety and reliability.
Refrigerants can’t be mixed. Your system can only operate off one kind of refrigerant. R-410a is a completely different refrigerant than R-22 and the systems that are designed to use R-22 are not designed to use R-410a.
If you have any other questions regarding R-22 or R-410a refrigerant, give us a call or contact us! We are happy to assist you. As always, we give FREE quotes on equipment replacement.
Lennox is an industry leader delivering a full range of home comfort products including air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, air cleaners, thermostats and also much more. Mitchell Cooling + Heating services all Lennox brand equipment.
Trane is a world leader in air conditioning systems. Providing comfort in homes and also commercial buildings.
Aprilaire focuses on quality indoor air to better help you protect the health and comfort of your family. Home and Business owners want optimal “indoor air quality.” Aprilaire has many products to provide the ultimate air quality for your family or also employees.
Honeywell is a leader in UV lighting, humidifiers, thermostats, air cleaners and also much more. Mitchell Cooling + Heating provides Honeywell products with pride.
Mitchell Cooling + Heating has been serving the cooling and heating needs of Metro Atlanta and North Georgia since 1992. We pride ourselves on our knowledgeable staff and our excellent customer service. Our technicians receive the most up-to-date training available and we stay on the forefront of home comfort technology.
We are happy to advise you on all your heating and cooling needs. Whether you need a repair or free estimate, we are always here to assist you.
View our service areas.
Our customers are our top priority: We work diligently to find efficient solutions if a problem arises.
Mitchell Cooling + Heating offers industry-leading warranties on all of our repairs and workmanship.
We service brand new construction homes with HVAC installation.
HVAC Maintenance can extend the life of your equipment and make sure your system is operating at peak efficiency and safety.
Mitchell Cooling + Heating is a leading company in North Georgia providing air conditioning and heating repair or replacement services.
Is your current system inefficient or in need of an update? Mitchell Cooling + Heating will professionally assess your HVAC replacement needs.
Spring Air Conditioning Maintenance
AC Maintenance Auburn GA, AC Service, AC Service Auburn GA, Auburn GA AC Service, HVAC Maintenance, Spring Air Conditioning MaintenanceSpring Air Conditioning Maintenance Mitchell Cooling + Heating At Mitchell Cooling + Heating we offer Spring air conditioning maintenance to keep your AC system performing efficiently in all seasons. Increase your comfort by scheduling your AC service appointment today. We are your #1 local HVAC company in Auburn, GA. Trust our experience to get your […]