WHAT IS R-22 Refrigerant?
AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
By law since January 1, 2010, the R-22 refrigerant was to phase-out of service, so now air conditioning and refrigeration equipment manufacturers are required to use alternate non-ozone depleting refrigerants that are more efficient and reduce global warming. R-22 refrigerant is a type of gas that has been widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems for many years. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently added R-22 to the list of chemicals known for causing ozone depletion affecting the environment and human health.
What The R-22 Phase-Out Means To Consumers
Consumers can go beyond the hype by considering these facts to help them make their air conditioners go green under recent energy regulations.
1. Servicing Existing Units
There is no EPA requirement to change or convert R-22 units for use with a non-ozone-depleting substitute refrigerant. However, owners of this equipment will no longer be able to purchase additional tanks of R-22 to keep the conditioners running. Recycled R-22 refrigerant can be used until 2014, but only for maintenance purposes. Such changes, called "retrofits," are allowed if the alternative has been found acceptable for that type of use. If a system were to need a complete recharge of R-22 gas, it would be considered obsolete and have to be replaced as the law now prohibits any new use of R-22 refrigerant.
2. Increasing Cost
As remaining supplies of R-22 refrigerant start to run out, prices are expected to rise drastically. In contrast, the expense of replacing existing equipment with new environmentally approved equipment may soon be less than the expense of purchasing more R-22 to maintain current equipment. In case, you did not know, Bryant developed a solution called Puron® Refrigerant, an environmentally sound, chorine free chemical of the future that reduces the effects of R-22 refrigerant. In fact, Bryant has been in the vanguard with this issue by introducing more economical and high energy-efficient cooling systems that have alternate refrigerants since 1996. Extensive outstanding results over thousands of households have made Puron® Refrigerant — a universally accepted, long-term refrigerant — for the heating and cooling industry.
3. Alternatives
As R-22 is phased out, new ozone friendly alternatives are being introduced to the refrigerant market. The most common alternative is R410A, which is a mixture of hydrofluorocarbons that do not contribute to the ozone depletion. If you are considering upgrading your air conditioner or heat pump. Bryant has environmentally sound products. Consult Bryant of Florida Dealers. As your experienced partners, they will do show you that Bryant's Puron® Refrigerant-based products offer several homeowner benefits, including energy efficiency, future cost of service savings, reliability and a quite operation.