Big changes came to the air conditioning industry on Jan. 1, 2010 to mitigate the deterioration to the ozone through the International Green Treaty. Air conditioners now have a new set of standards to stay compliant. The main change is the coolant the EPA now accepts.
Chlorine is the main substance that air conditioners use to cool which also causes ozone depletion. Causing significant damage, chlorine has been used as a coolant in nearly all air conditioning units since the 1970's. The chemical is known as R-22. Currently, the government has demanded a phase-out which means air conditioner repair companies and manufacturers can no longer use R-22.
The air conditioner repair companies will replace R-22 with R-410A which has no chlorine and no effect on the ozone. If you are still using R-22 as your air conditioning coolant, you should start thinking about a switch. The longer you wait the more expensive it will get because parts related to R-22 air conditioners will be harder to obtain.
Switching is not as bad as it sounds. In the last five years, energy costs have soared about 50% of what they once were. If you update your air conditioner to the new standards, you can save up to 45%.
There are also tax incentives and manufacturer rebates to keep in mind. You can usually find a great rebate through your reputable air conditioning company as well as more information on the latest tax incentives. If you would like to research before contacting an air conditioning company, a good place to start is online through the BBB and your government databases for tax incentives.
After the completion of your research (checking you coolant and which rebates and tax incentives are applicable) make sure you contact a reputable air conditioning company for installation. If the installation is improper your air conditioner can be damaged. The shoddy installation can also cause your air conditioner to use more energy than it should, which can reverse a portion your 45% savings. Once the new installation is in place, keep it well maintained and you can save yourself a great deal of money.
The last step to get the most out of your air conditioner is to make sure you obtain proper installation. A key part of upgrading your unit is to get the most out of it and improper and shoddy installation can quickly defeat this purpose. Keep it well maintained as well and you will see a significant reduction in your energy bills. Don't wait until its 2010, start looking for new and more energy efficient cooling solutions today.
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