Understanding the Ban on R22 Freon

The HVAC industry has been planning for the phase-out of R22 Freon in commercial units for a while now. But many residential consumers are unaware of the new restrictions and unclear on how it could impact air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA. Here is what you need to know so you can prepare for what will be happening to aging R22 dependent systems.

What is the Timeline?

As of January 1, 2020 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is going to phase out the use of R22 Freon in cooling systems. It will be banned from both production and importation. After the deadline only reclaimed and previously-produced R22 will be available.

What Does This Mean for Maintenance and Repairs?

Simple electrical and mechanical repairs will likely remain the same. But as you can guess, the cost of recharging the refrigerant on these systems will skyrocket. Leading up to the phase out the supplies of R22 have been shrinking. Consumers with leaky systems that have been injecting R22 periodically will be forced to replace their systems. And most obviously now is not a good time to install a system that requires R22.

What Should I Do about my R22 Cooling System?

You may not have to do anything just yet. Customers who already have R22-dependent systems will still be able to get as much use out of them as possible. That is, until they need recharging. Repairs will quickly become excessively expensive. Eventually, it will be necessary to get a system upgrade. That is why it is important to start planning now for a system update right now. Some systems can be converted for better refrigerant like R410A, called Puron. That said, the conversion may only buy the system a handful of years. And a lot of older systems will not favor retrofitting. The better option may be upgrading to a new system before the year’s end.

What Type of New Cooling System Should I Get?

Evaporative cooling systems are often the most cost-effective. And upgrading to a model that uses R410A will be more energy efficient and save money on your monthly bills. They are also better for air quality. You might have to dip into your savings to afford the upgrade, but it is better than rolling the dice on your aging system.

Shifting to safer refrigerants is a good thing, and we are on board. Give us a call if you need someone to come out and evaluate your old R22 system. We can give you an honest estimate on how much longer your system might last. We can also offer you a quote on a new system so you can start making plans for the upgrade.

To schedule a consultation or an air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA call us at (408) 800-2791. One of our technicians from Pelle Heating and Air Conditioning will be ready to help you out. Or if you have concerns about your R22-dependant cooling system stop by 1045 N 10th St San Jose, CA 95112.