On January 1st, 2010, we witnessed the largest and most dramatic change to the air conditioning industry that affects every one of us on this planet. Backed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Government and 190 countries world-wide, January 1 marked the beginning of the Phase out of Hydrochloroflurocarbons.
Hydrochloroflurocarbons, or HCFC such as R-22, are chemicals that are mainly used as refrigerants in the air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Releases of HCFC’s damage the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolent radiation. In addition, HCFC is a greenhouse gas and when manufactured, results in a by-product that contributes significantly to global warming. By coming together, the impact of this phase out will include repairing the ozone layer and reducing the incidents of skin cancer and cataracts.
Because R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air conditioning systems for over four decades, a great number of homeowners may be made aware of this phase out.
Things for the Homeowner to Consider.
There are no legal requirements to stop using HCFC in your existing air conditioner or other equipment and there is a lengthy phase out period which does provide time to switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants. However, homeowners should be aware that supplies of HCFC that run your air conditioning system will be limited due to the phase out, causing prices to rise. Additionally, starting in 2020, there will be a ban on the production of HCFC, so consumers will need to rely solely on the recycled or reclaimed quantities to service any system that is in operation after this date.
To find out if your present air conditioner contains HCFC, check the nameplate on the unit. Most units have a nameplate that identifies the refrigerant along with other pertinent information. Another option is to check your owner’s manual for the information.
The most notable positive results from this phase out – beyond the affects of saving our environment and the impact on humans – are the technology advancements and increase in efficiency with the new air conditioning system. Technology has been changing very rapidly in the advancements of newer, more efficient systems, resulting in cost savings to the homeowner. These advancements are reflected in the styles of compressors and the design enhancements.
If you have any questions on your existing air conditioning or heat transfer unit, or if you are in the market to purchase a new system, we invite you to contact our customer service department today. We are happy to educate you and provide you with energy efficient systems that will give you the performance, reliability and cost to best fit your needs. Please call us at (800) 404-0371.
