Say Goodbye to R22 in 2020
When the ball drops this year, we’ll not only be celebrating the beginning of 2020, but also the end of freon, or R22 refrigerant. As per the U.S. Environment Protection Agency, R22 will become unavailable in the United States come January 1, 2020. It may seem like this deadline is quickly approaching, but this is part of a long-planned phaseout of R22 that’s been going on for some time. You might be asking yourself, “Well, how does this affect me?” We’re going to break down the ban of R22 and what it means for you and your family.
How Is R22 Used?
Freon, or R22, is a refrigerant used in a variety of older HVAC systems, including central air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-splits, car AC systems, and other refrigeration equipment. If your HVAC unit is on the older side, it could rely on R22 usage to function. The fight against freon has been going on for over a decade, but in 2010, it became illegal to use R22 in new HVAC systems. It was still being used to service older systems, however. Now, after January 1, 2020, you will no longer be able to purchase R22, even if your system relies on it. If you’re a homeowner with one of these older HVAC systems, you can still make use of your system for as long as you can, but when it comes time for repairs that involve R22, you’ll be out of luck. Industry professionals agree that a majority of repairs on older HVAC systems do include some form of recharging the refrigerant (R22), so it’s best to start preparing now.
My HVAC System Uses R22 – What Do I Do?
This is a question that’s frequently asked, but it’s met with an answer that homeowners don’t necessarily want to hear. If you’re still using an HVAC system to relies on R22, it’s time to consider a replacement. You could wait until your old system breaks and you can no longer use it, but nothing is worse than being without air conditioning during the summer months in Pennsylvania. We recommend homeowners start planning now to make the transition as seamless as possible. Plus, upgrading to a new HVAC system comes with a number of benefits that can help negate the cost over time.
New systems are:
- More energy-efficient
- More technologically advanced
- Quieter
- More environmentally friendly
These benefits along with proactive planning can help ease the pain of replacing your HVAC system before R22 is banned completely.
Signature HVAC Can Help
We know replacing our HVAC system is never fun, but with Signature HVAC, you can count on receiving reliable, quality service during your HVAC replacement. From furnaces and heat pumps to ductless systems, and central air conditioning – the professionals at Signature can install the system(s) that best suit your home and your family.
To learn more about our HVAC installation or schedule your replacement service, contact your local West Chester, PA HVAC experts at Signature.
