Your home’s comfort system may be obsolete by the year 2020. The year 2020 may seem like a long time from now. As of this writing, it’s only a little over three years away. What’s going to happen in the year 2020 that could cause you some anxiety regarding your home’s comfort system?
EPA Requirements by 2020
As of 2020, the United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has required the refrigerant known as R22-Freon be completely phased out. Therefore, it will be eliminated from use. This regulation requires air conditioning manufacturers to cease the shipment of R-22 refrigerant with any newly-produced air conditioning systems.
R22 Freon Virtually Obsolete by 2020
When you buy a new air conditioner, it will most likely contain the more environmentally-friendly R-410A refrigerant or a legal alternative. Some manufacturers have made available new AC units called ‘dry charge’ systems. Dry charged systems are designed for R-22 refrigerant. Instead of shipping with the refrigerant inside, the refrigerant is added on-site by the contractor during installation.
The new EPA refrigerant policies have put many homeowners and HVAC contractors alike in a unique situation. The situation raises important questions about the best solution when an AC repair is needed. Should you as a homeowner pay the high price to recharge their system with R-22 refrigerant? Or, attempt to use an alternate refrigerant? Or, buy a new air conditioner altogether?
What Should You Do?
When buying a new air conditioning system, should you buy a new R-410A refrigerant system or risk buying a “dry-charge” system? The latter is often the lower-cost solution in the short term. Longer-term repercussions of that choice are becoming clearer; no new R-22 refrigerant will be produced after the year 2019. As we get closer to that date, the cost of R-22 Freon will exponentially skyrocket.
As the year 2020 begins, if your older model HVAC system contains R22 Freon and needs to be recharged, your options might be extremely limited. If your AC system contains R22 Freon, it is a closed system. Hence, the Freon should never need to be replaced. If you need Freon added to your system, you have a leak somewhere, and it WILL leak out again.
What Will Happen Ragarding the Price of Freon?
With current prices for R22 Freon, it might cost you anywhere from $300 to $600 to have your system recharged. This will be based on the price of Freon at the time and the amount your HVAC company charges for a service call. The purchase of Freon is a highly regulated transaction. If you wanted to buy the Freon yourself or have someone buy it for you will need to be 608 certified with the Environmental Protection Agency before you are eligible to purchase it.
When the new regulations go into effect in 2020, HVAC contractors can only use recycled or reclaimed R22 Freon to recharge your system. Therefore, the price to recharge your AC system will go up even more.
What Are Some Alternatives?
So what is your alternative? The most logical and economical solution, when the time comes, is to replace your old HVAC system with a new system. Here are a few reasons why:
- You will be rid of expensive repair costs for the foreseeable future.
- Your new system will be much more efficient that your old system, saving you money on your energy bill.
- Your new system will have a less negative effect on the environment.
- Technological advances of new systems reduce the humidity in your home making it even more comfortable.
- Quieter operation reduces outside and inside noise pollution.
In Conclusion
Got questions about your home’s comfort system? Give Bunn’s and Bennett Heating and Air Conditioning a call or email us at [email protected]. Bunn’s and Bennett is a licensed and insured HVAC dealer located in Huntsville, Alabama. We’ve been serving Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley for more than 30 years.
