Refrigerants are what make air conditioning your Northern VA home possible—these liquid agents cool and dehumidify indoor air. For many years, the most common refrigerant used in air conditioning systems in Fairfax, Arlington, Centreville, Reston, and throughout the country was R-22, or Freon. However, since R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, it contains environmentally harmful ozone-depleting chlorine. As of 2010, the manufacture of systems using R-22 was prohibited, and by 2020, the production of R-22 itself must cease, according to the EPA.
New air conditioning units must use ozone-friendly R-410A, or Puron. R-410A is an EPA-recognized chlorine-free agent, and it is considered ozone-friendly and beneficial to the environment.
Northern VA Homeowners with R-22 Units are at a Disadvantage
The EPA reports that R-22 supplies will be more limited and costs may rise in the near future. At John Nugent & Sons, we’ve been warning our customers in Fairfax, Arlington, Centreville, Reston, and throughout Northern VA seeking AC repairs to be prepared for a significant increase in the costs associated with adding the gas that provides the coolant in these air conditioners. Compared to just last year, the price of putting Freon in a residential or commercial air conditioner will be far more expensive this year.
It’s projected that the cost of R-22 will increase by about five percent per year until it is completely phased out.
Now is the right time to schedule AC replacement and get that new R-410A air conditioning unit. Call us at 571-877-8859 to schedule replacement, or keep reading to learn about some of the benefits of R-410A systems.
Benefits of R-410A AC Units
It’s already known that R-410A air conditioning units are less damaging to the environment and less costly to repair (compared to R-22 units), but there are other advantages as well. Equipment with R-410A is at least five percent more efficient than equipment with R-22. Also, R-410A-based compressors run cooler than R-22 compressors—making them less likely to overheat and burn out.
Another major benefit of R-410A air conditioning systems is that they use new, synthetic lubricants that circulate more efficiently than the mineral oil used to lubricate R-22 systems. This means less wear and tear on the unit’s critical moving parts. Finally, R-410-based condensers are constructed with stronger, thicker shells, reducing the possibility of refrigerant leaks.
Not only will you be paying more for possible repairs if you have an R-22 AC unit, but you’re missing out on a more efficient unit that’s easily available to you. Contact John Nugent & Sons today to schedule installation of an R-410A air conditioning system. We’re a family operated company proudly serving the Northern VA area since 1975.