...of your central air system.
I was having a conversation the other day with a customer whose outdoor unit failed. Wanting to save a little money, (which is a good thing) he asked me about replacing the outdoor unit only.
Under normal circumstances this would be a good idea. But these are not normal circumstances.
Most older systems use a refrigerant called R-22. By January of 2010 manufacturers will stop selling central air conditioning systems that use R-22. Actually most manufacturers will stop making these systems sooner in order to empty their inventory. The new systems will use a more environmentally-friendly refrigerant called R-410a. Integrity Air has been selling R-410a systems for the past few years in anticipation of this change.
But I digress. The question before us is: What should you do if only one unit of your R-22 split system fails? The problem you have when you only replace that unit is that R-22 systems are not compatible with R-410a systems. If you install a new R-22 outdoor unit and you indoor unit fails around the fall of 2009, their may not be an R-22 indoor section available. You may be forced to replace the entire system with a new R-410a system.
These are some things to consider when shopping for a new system or partial system.
Showing posts with label R-410a. Show all posts
Showing posts with label R-410a. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Future of Refrigeration
Update of this post.
R-22 is being phased out earlier than expected. According to the EPA, in 2010 production of R-22 will be decreased by 75% of 1989 production levels.
Now most of that reduction will be taken up by the fact that all new central air systems will be using R-410 by 2010, but consumers who currently own an R-22 system need to be prepared for the gradual scarcity of R-22 as production is decreased by 90% in 2015 and is completely phased out by 2030.
It is very important that, if you are in need of a new central air system that you insist that your contractor quote a system with the new R-410a refrigerant.
If youn have an R-22 system, be sure to have it checked for leaks and have those leaks reparied
R-22 is being phased out earlier than expected. According to the EPA, in 2010 production of R-22 will be decreased by 75% of 1989 production levels.
Now most of that reduction will be taken up by the fact that all new central air systems will be using R-410 by 2010, but consumers who currently own an R-22 system need to be prepared for the gradual scarcity of R-22 as production is decreased by 90% in 2015 and is completely phased out by 2030.
It is very important that, if you are in need of a new central air system that you insist that your contractor quote a system with the new R-410a refrigerant.
If youn have an R-22 system, be sure to have it checked for leaks and have those leaks reparied
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Decisions to be made a year from now, two years from now.
In the next two years, many homeowners will have to make some decision concerning their televisions and their air conditioning systems.
Less than a year from now (February 17, 2009), television stations will be mandated by the federal government to broadcast in digital. What this means for most people who own TVs made before May 25 of last year will need to get and adaptor or a new TV.
One word of advice if you are planning to use the adaptor and your TV antenna doesn't get UHF channels in clearly:
A special antenna generally is not needed to receive digital signals. You may have antenna issues, however, if your current antenna does not receive UHF signals (channels 14 and above) well, because most DTV stations are on UHF channels. In such a case, you may need a new antenna or to add a UHF section to your existing antenna system. This equipment should be available at most bricks-and-mortar and Internet consumer electronics retailers.
Less than two years from now (January 1, 2010) The refrigerant used in most central air systems (R-22) will only be available for maintenance of existing systems. As of the above date all new air conditioning systems will have a new, more environmentally-friendly refrigerant called R-410a.
This will concern the homeowner who has an R-22 system when only the outdoor unit or indoor unit fails. Under normal circumstances, replacing the damaged unit would be standard procedure. However, this will leave you with a situation where one half of your system is young and the other half old, and in less than two years the replacement for an R-22 condenser or airhandler will not be available.
The homeowner who owns a relatively new R-22 system has anothe concern. The making of new R-22 will be reduced until January 1, 202o, when only recycled R-22 will be available. What this means is that, as we get closer to 2020, repares that require R-22 will become more expensive as the refrigerant becomes scarce.
Less than a year from now (February 17, 2009), television stations will be mandated by the federal government to broadcast in digital. What this means for most people who own TVs made before May 25 of last year will need to get and adaptor or a new TV.
One word of advice if you are planning to use the adaptor and your TV antenna doesn't get UHF channels in clearly:
A special antenna generally is not needed to receive digital signals. You may have antenna issues, however, if your current antenna does not receive UHF signals (channels 14 and above) well, because most DTV stations are on UHF channels. In such a case, you may need a new antenna or to add a UHF section to your existing antenna system. This equipment should be available at most bricks-and-mortar and Internet consumer electronics retailers.
Less than two years from now (January 1, 2010) The refrigerant used in most central air systems (R-22) will only be available for maintenance of existing systems. As of the above date all new air conditioning systems will have a new, more environmentally-friendly refrigerant called R-410a.
This will concern the homeowner who has an R-22 system when only the outdoor unit or indoor unit fails. Under normal circumstances, replacing the damaged unit would be standard procedure. However, this will leave you with a situation where one half of your system is young and the other half old, and in less than two years the replacement for an R-22 condenser or airhandler will not be available.
The homeowner who owns a relatively new R-22 system has anothe concern. The making of new R-22 will be reduced until January 1, 202o, when only recycled R-22 will be available. What this means is that, as we get closer to 2020, repares that require R-22 will become more expensive as the refrigerant becomes scarce.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Refrigerant Changes You Need To Know...
....when choosing a new air conditioning system.
What most folks have now
Currently, the vast majority of residential central air conditioners use a refrigerant called R-22. Some systems already use the newer, more environmentally friendly refrigerant called R-410a, but R-22 far and away is the most common refrigerant in homes.
What’s happening in 2010
Starting in 2010, a little over two years from now R-22 systems will no longer be available. Also, starting in 2010 the manufacturing of new R-22 will start to be limited until the only R-22 available by 2020 will be recycled refrigerant. This will cause repairs involving refrigerant for R-22 systems to be more expensive.
What this means for those looking for a new system today
If you need a new air conditioning system, Integrity Air recommends that you get an R-410a system. In most cases the prices are comparable. Also if you have a mix-matched system, that is, a system where one section is much older than the other, you may want to replace the older section before 2010.
What most folks have now
Currently, the vast majority of residential central air conditioners use a refrigerant called R-22. Some systems already use the newer, more environmentally friendly refrigerant called R-410a, but R-22 far and away is the most common refrigerant in homes.
What’s happening in 2010
Starting in 2010, a little over two years from now R-22 systems will no longer be available. Also, starting in 2010 the manufacturing of new R-22 will start to be limited until the only R-22 available by 2020 will be recycled refrigerant. This will cause repairs involving refrigerant for R-22 systems to be more expensive.
What this means for those looking for a new system today
If you need a new air conditioning system, Integrity Air recommends that you get an R-410a system. In most cases the prices are comparable. Also if you have a mix-matched system, that is, a system where one section is much older than the other, you may want to replace the older section before 2010.
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