When you need to have an air conditioner repair or AC replacement in Raritan NJ or the surrounding areas, get in touch with Skylands Energy. The heating and cooling technicians on our team are knowledgeable and experienced. You can trust us to provide superior skills at an affordable cost. Get your free estimate by contacting our office today.
We can also provide a free second opinion on any other HVAC estimate that you’ve gotten from another HVAC company. With second opinions, you can make sure that both the diagnosis and the remedy that’s proposed for resolving the problem is the best solution for your home. A second opinion is great for a major HVAC repair or replacements. You can talk with one of our seasoned, home comfort specialists by calling into our office today.
What To Do When Your Home AC System Uses The R-22 Refrigerant
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The seasons are changing, and we’re gradually starting to move into the warmer months. A lot of homeowners are checking their air conditioners right now. These individuals want to make sure that their systems are running efficiently when the temperatures rise. When air conditioner troubleshooting, they may find a few issues that require professional help. One issue is a refrigerant leak.
People don’t usually know offhand what kind of refrigerant their air conditioners use.
AC refrigerant, however, is an increasingly prevalent issue among residential property owners. Much like all other industries, the HVAC industry has experienced recent policy changes concerning the use of toxic substances or substances that are not good for the environment.
Old air conditioning units often rely on R-22. R-22 is a refrigerant that is detrimental to the ozone layer and toxic to humans. For these reasons, there are new regulations with the goal of gradually phasing out this once common refrigerant for air conditioners.
So, how does this impact the people who currently own units that function on R-22? This article is going to talk about how you can determine which type of refrigerant your air conditioner uses. We will also go over the steps that you can take if you have a unit that is reliant upon R-22.
Start By Checking Your Home AC Unit
The very first thing that you need to do is to determine which kind of refrigerant your air conditioner is using.
Check the label on the compressor unit that’s outside of your home.
Newer models use the R410-A refrigerant type. When systems are older, their labels will say R-22 instead. If you have an air conditioner that functions on R-22 and it is malfunctioning, however, it is up to you to decide if the costs of repairing it are worthwhile. One example is if your system needs a significant repair such as a refrigerant leak. In these cases, replacing your home air conditioner is the best decision.
The HVAC industry has used R-22 refrigerant as a coolant for a very long time. Dated air conditioners, other appliances, and heat pumps use them. In 1987, the U.S. issued a call for the reduction of products that are classified as HCFCs or hydrochlorofluorocarbons and are:
- known to be toxic
- detrimental to the earth’s ozone layer
- greenhouse gases
Given that the R-22 coolant fits this bill, the production of this refrigerant is now ending in several phases. As such, it is more expensive for HVAC companies to buy this refrigerant. At some point, it will not be available any longer. Therefore, when leaks occur in older units, the resulting repair costs are exorbitant.
Deciding Whether To Replace Your AC Or Repair It
Most reputable HVAC companies agree that people who own old, outdated units are usually better off replacing this equipment than repairing it. A lot of units that use R-22 are pretty old to start with. Even if these systems have just a single, small-sized crack, the odds are that they’re at or nearing the end of their lifespans anyway.
With the high costs of repairing these systems due to the high costs of R-22 and the fact that this coolant is becoming increasingly difficult to access, it is more cost-effective to put repair monies towards overall replacement costs. Even though some homeowners might have a hard time coming up with sufficient funds for new air conditioners, the R-22 phase-out is going to make this investment an inevitable one.
Homeowners can choose to repair their systems so long as they know that R-22 units are a lot older in general. They have limited lifespans as a result. Even though getting a replacement is advisable, HVAC companies know that the decision to repair is often the most budget-friendly one. Speak with your HVAC service provider to see what they recommend.
If you have an air conditioner leak and the performance of your AC system has dwindled – and if your HVAC repair near me thinks that the unit isn’t going to last a whole lot longer, then replacing it is wise. If your technician believes that your system has five to ten years of its lifespan remaining, then repairing it could be a good choice.
The Benefits Of Replacing Your Home Air Conditioner
For people who are facing the costs of a full-system replacement…
they should note the significant environmental benefits that come with upgrading R-22 units. Moreover, a new air conditioning system is going to be a lot more efficient as well. A higher level of energy efficiency results in lower home cooling costs. It’s also going to provide far more comfort than an old AC unit will. It is a win-win decision all-around.
Homeowners with older furnaces can replace these with their AC systems for a much lower overall cost. Combination furnace and air conditioner replacement units are cheaper than the costs of paying for both units separately. Therefore, if you are facing a major furnace repair and an AC refrigerant leak, you may get a better deal by replacing the both of them at the same time.
AC Repair Raritan NJ
Skylands Energy provides reliable HVAC services, including home AC repair near me, throughout the state of New Jersey for both commercial and residential buildings. You can rely on us to give you fair prices and excellent service all-around. Our heating and cooling professionals have ample knowledge and industry experience. Our technicians finish the job right, on time, every time.
When working with us, we will always tell you about all of your options.
Having the correct information enables you to make your own decisions concerning the best solutions for your home. More importantly, all of our services are quick and professional.
We offer an extensive range of AC services including central air repair near me, maintenance, installations and much, much more. Discover the benefits of our free second opinions and free estimates. You can schedule your appointment now by calling our office.
Some of the areas we service include Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.
Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!