The HVAC industry, like many others, is constantly adapting to be as environmentally conscious as possible. R22, more commonly known as Freon, is a chemical refrigerant used in air conditioners that was found to be a major cause of ozone depletion and phased out of the industry. As of January 1, 2020, you can no longer import or produce the refrigerant in Canada or the United States. If your air conditioner uses R22, there are a few things you should know about the future of your unit.

There wasn’t a significant decrease in the production of R22 air conditioners until 2010, so units installed before then likely use this harmful refrigerant. The outright ban of its import and production means it will be difficult and expensive for homeowners to have an air conditioner that uses R22 serviced. The only way to legally source the refrigerant now is by recycling it from older units, so it will only become rarer as time goes on. 

The easiest way for homeowners to get ahead of the ban, if their air conditioner uses R22, is to start researching a replacement unit. Your AC may still work for some time, but if you need to charge the refrigerant in the system, you’ll likely have to replace the unit in a pinch.  Knowing beforehand that you need to replace your air conditioner can be a great thing because it allows you to take advantage of promotions and financing options.

If you proactively replace your AC unit, you can take the time to choose the right company and the best system for your needs. An air conditioner using R22 will be likely at least ten years old, which means the replacement you choose will perform much better. Newer units are designed to be much more efficient and will ultimately function better than an old system, so you can save money and improve the comfort of your home. It’s also a decision you can feel good about because you’ll no longer be using a cooling system that’s potentially harmful to the environment.

Have an air conditioner that uses R22?
Contact the experts at Fahrhall to plan for the future of your home comfort, today.

Fahrhall Home Comfort Specialists have over 50 years of experience in the HVAC industry and counting. Customers in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent areas can count on our certified technicians for all their heating and cooling needs.

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