The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the refrigerant that most of us know about, Freon, or R-22 is harmful to the ozone layer. They have also concluded that to reduce the impact of it on the environment, it will no longer be produced or imported into the United States as of January 1st, 2020. So, what does that mean for homeowners? You don’t need to panic because you do not need to replace your current HVAC system if it runs on R-22. Don’t let any company trick you into thinking you have to just because of the EPA’s announcement. You do have to realize that things might get a bit tricky when you start to have issues with your system when it comes to refrigerant. If you discover you have an issue such as a refrigerant leak, many companies will have a hard time getting R-22 for your unit or they will charge you a high premium if they happen to have it due to its decreasing availability. There are companies that have been charging more for R-22 for some time already and will probably charge even more for it until they run out.
R22 to R410a Conversion, Maintenance of Current HVAC Unit or Whole System Replacement
The best thing you can do as a homeowner is to take good care of your system. Maintaining it and avoiding unexpected breakdowns is the best way to keep it running for as long as possible. Technicians can spot potential problems early that can be repaired instead of turning into a major repair or a complete replacement. The good news is that as long as you don’t have any leaks in the system you should be able to hang on to your R-22 unit for some time. That’s because many repairs with your unit aren’t necessarily related to refrigerant. Routine maintenance can minimize the risk of refrigerant leaks, but the age of your system is something that is out of control. Please note – we generally recommend against retrofitting your existing unit to R410a compatible as it is a major undertaking. At a minimum, it requires replacing the R-22 compressor, evaporator and condenser with units designed to run with R-410A. Sometimes the copper lines connecting the components must also be replace. If your central HVAC unit is 8 years or older, it’s usually not worth the cost to convert and you should just replace the entire R-22 unit with a new more energy efficient R-410A unit.
How is Your Current HVAC System Working?
The HVAC system in your home creates a comfortable environment for you and your family to live in. This system is made up of many components that may need repair or replacement based on multiple factors. You are not required to learn about your system but it’s a good idea. The more you know about your system, the harder it will be to be misinformed by a company trying to trick you. The more you educate yourself on how your system works, and you only need to know the basics to understand, the easier it will be for you to determine if the technician working on yours is honest, or trying to make a fast buck.
HVAC Services in Summerlin, North LV, Henderson, Enterprise, Paradise, Sunrise Manor, Spring Valley, Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Green Valley Ranch, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, Peccole Ranch, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada
Failing to maintain your system means it will require more repairs and be in overall rougher shape. This may cost you more than ever with a system that runs on Freon. Choosing the right company can be vital in the whole HVAC repair or replacement process. At Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning we have adopted a culture of honesty, trust and integrity to train and educate our customers rather than fixing the problem and then leaving. Give us a call today!