There are big changes happening in the world of HVAC systems that may affect your Largo, FL, home. The coolant R-22, which has been used in HVAC systems for decades, is in the process of being phased out. By 2020, R-22 will no longer be used in American HVAC models and will only be found in existing units.

Why is R-22 Getting Phased Out?

R-22 is still used predominantly in developing countries, but it is classified as a Class II Ozone-Depleting Substance (ODS). This means that the impact of the coolant is dangerous enough to the Earth that manufacturers in the United States have agreed to switch to a more environmentally-friendly option by 2020.

The process of switching to the cleaner and more efficient option, R-410A, started in 2004. Since then, companies have worked to reduce their use of R-22 and will completely shut down production next year.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you have an older system, check to see whether your unit uses R-22 refrigerant. You can find this on your outdoor unit by looking for the “shipping charge” or “category charge” label.

If you do have an older unit that is an R-22-based system, then you will want to make sure your system is well maintained and operating at its best. If something goes wrong, R-22 refrigerant will be significantly more expensive and hard to get. However, if your unit uses R-410A, then you don’t have to worry and can follow a regular maintenance process.

Learn More About R-22 and Your HVAC System

If you want to find out more information about R-22, you can contact our team at Bay Area Heating and Cooling, Inc. at 727-565-4555 to inspect your model. We will determine whether it runs on R-22 and provide next steps for what you should do about it.