It’s a high probability that you contacted a AC repair expert to confirm whether your unit is in a good working condition, especially during the summer months. If you were advised to replace it, chances are you are still in shock about the decision. That’s become Freon and r-22 refrigerants have become quite expensive since they were banned and their prices are very high at the moment.
For instance, Freon is very expensive right now. Previously, a regular tank of r 22 refrigerant cost about $450 last year and now it’s increased to about $600. It’s a very sharp increase in price. The same increase has been noted around the country with a pound of Freon going between $80 and $140. However, a few companies have taken the initiative and started charging a lesser price after the first pound. Therefore, if you are topping up the refrigerant in your AC unit, you might end up spending a lot of money.
The shortage in supply has come up because of the phasing out of Freon since there are numerous concerns about its effect on the environment, especially the ozone layer. By 2020, the manufacture of Freon will be halted altogether as per the requirements set out by the EPA. 2017 and 2018 saw the notable decrease of the production of r 22 products by a significant percentage and the same should follow suit in 2019 and 2020.
Of course, anyone who hasn’t made the switch to the replacement R410A will not be forced to purchase a new unit immediately. Note that, Freon circulates within a closed system. Therefore, it’s not used by the AC units such as gasoline or cars. However, there is a chance that it might leak out of the system, especially if you have an older unit. That’s why it’s important to have the AC unit serviced every year to avoid such issues.
As high as the prices might be, the same will be expected from now till 2020 when it’s completely phased out because Freon will become less and less available. Some experts in the niche have noted that even after 2020, recycled r22 should still be available but in very limited supply. However, there is no actual guarantee how long it will be available.
Currently, there are some cheaper r 22 alternatives in the market. They are often referred to as drop-in replacement refrigerants but they might not be the best choice. One of the renowned companies in the AC manufacturing niche, Lennox did a research that revealed that the cheaper alternatives are not compatible with the lubricating oil used in the units with r22 refrigerants.
Therefore, recharging the old AC units with these alternative refrigerants will actually damage them and you will end up voiding the warranty from the manufacturer. Rather, you need to start being proactive and start looking for the best options to upgrade your system if you are still using an r 22 system. That way, you will not be forced to make a hasty decision when your AC unit stops working especially during extreme weather.
By getting ahead of the curve, you can take advantage of the rebates, financing and sales options that might make your upgrade affordable. Currently, the government is handing out tax credits as high as $500 on a new and high efficiency AC unit. Even better, you can combine these options with the local rebates and those from your manufacturer to get further savings. However, if you haven’t done the update by 2016, you have locked yourself out of the government tax credits. Don’t worry yet, there are more options coming your way but you need to start acting now before you’re locked out when the refrigerant options are locked out by 2020.
If your AC unit depends highly on Freon, you need to know that there might be a significant leak and you need to replace it with a few pounds of the coolant. You need to ask your service technician to measure whether the amount of Freon being used is accurate. Even as little as a quarter of a pound will make a huge difference in your overall bill. You should always have an emergency fund to handle any big ticket items such as replacing your AC unit.
On the other hand, you need to make sure that the installation, repair and maintenance of your AC unit is done by the best in the field. That’s why you need to do a lot of research. First, make sure that the technician is experienced and has handled similar units to yours before. If possible, ask for a list of references from previous clients to make sure that they can vouch for the technician in his/her capacity and all the duties.
Secondly, you need to make sure the technician is licensed and insured to guarantee that you get the best services. Of course, you can check with the local licensing board to make sure the technician hasn’t had any record in their book of indiscipline. If everything checks out, you are in the best hands. Of course, social media has played a huge role in customer reviews and referrals so you should check various platforms to confirm that nothing is wrong there.
If possible, make sure you find an AC expert who does everything under the same roof. It would be a haunting experience if you had to hire someone new every time you wanted a specific service. Therefore, ask them right from the start to determine whether or not they are fit enough to handle all the services under one roof.
If possible, you need to make personal contact before hiring the technician to make sure everything is in the best hands. Of course, how you will be received in the office and the eagerness of the technician to handle your business will make a huge difference in how they will handle your issues later on. Remember, your AC unit is a big ticket item so you need to be careful how you handle it so make sure the best hands are on it.