Do you have an HVAC system that was installed before 2011? If so… this information applies to you.
If your HVAC system was installed in 2010 or before, it most likely uses a chemical coolant called “R22”. R22 is an air conditioning refrigerant, commonly called “Freon”, that has been widely used in residential heating and cooling since its introduction in the 1950s.
Air conditioners operate using chemical coolants such as R22/Freon inside coils. Air is cooled by being blown over these frosty coils and the result is icy cold air. As your system ages and experiences normal wear and tear, your coils may leak or break, and the coolant will need to be refilled or replaced.
The bad news is that after decades of use, it turns out that R22 is EXTREMELY bad for the environment and is ripping our ozone layer apart! It’s listed as having one of the highest ozone depletion potentials of all Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); due to its designation as an Ozone-Depleting Substance the EPA now classifies R22 as a regulated Class II Controlled Substance. Therefore, it is being phased out and will no longer be available as of January 1, 2020.
Homeowners who have HVAC systems that use R22 (and their HVAC service providers) have been able to repair and maintain these systems due to a preexisting supply of R22. That is all about to change, with the production and importation of R22 set to be outlawed by January 1, 2020.
Quite simply, the Freon that keeps your AC blowing cool air is about to be unavailable in the marketplace. The cost of R22 has dramatically increased because of the declining supply. Options for licensed professionals to service units installed before 2011 have become more and more expensive. After January 1st, 2020, this repair will become unavailable to all consumers.
Fortunately, the HVAC industry is offering an alternative: R410a, brand name Puron, is safer, cleaner and more energy efficient. Homeowners should consider upgrading their HVAC systems NOW and take advantage of HVAC units that use R410a. These systems save consumers hundreds of dollars in energy bills, as well as service costs.
Think you’ll simply swap out your old R22 for the R410a? Doing so will ruin your unit and will force you into a new unit anyway, so a smart technician will not opt for this repair. The best choice for homeowners is to replace their old system now.
Replacing your HVAC system before the spring and summer rush could also mean saving money by taking advantage of incentives and rebates that may not be available when everyone else is trying to replace their HVAC system.
This change affects the entire HVAC industry.
Please contact us to discuss the changes outlined here. Professional HVAC firms like ours provide excellent financing options for homeowners to make the most sensible choice for their financial needs. We can provide our customers with the latest information available on the market today, and assist them in making the best choice for their home.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (A Modern Mechanical Company): Serving Loudoun, Fairfax, Northern Virginia and the entire Washington, D.C., region with prompt, punctual, friendly, technically superior home services since 2009, including HVAC repair and replacement, diagnoses and parts, and indoor air-quality analysis. Call One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning today at (571) 421-1888 or make an appointment at www.ModernMec.com.
If you need additional information, please call (571) 421-1888.
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