R22 is Phasing Out 

We told you last summer about the R22 phase out and with cooling season approaching, Stevenson Service Experts wanted to remind you of your courses of action. 

RECAP: 

If you have an air conditioning system installed prior to 2010, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which is what makes the air coming from your air conditioner cool and comfortable. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was contributing to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer. 

Beginning in 2010, the making and importing of R22 was prohibited and by 2020, R22 will basically no longer be allowed. 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

R22 refrigerant is no longer made in North America. 

You can obtain recycled R22 now for existing air conditioners that use this particular refrigerant. 

The cost of R22 is rising because of the dropping supply, and won’t be accessible for use at all by 2020. 

GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? 

If your air conditioner was produced after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably won’t apply to you. However, if your air conditioner was manufactured before January 2010, you have a couple options: 

1) Buy an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which can use the approved A/C refrigerant. 

2) Call an HVAC company to replace the parts in your current air conditioning system to help make it compatible with approved AC refrigerant. However, this is not recommended because it could nullify your warranty(ies). 

3) Keep using recycled R22 until 2020. 

READY TO BE DONE WITH IT? 

If you don’t want to panic about the issue of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to worry about the increasing costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to help the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Stevenson Service Experts today and we’ll come out and provide you a complimentary in-home estimate on a new air conditioning system, just in time for spring!