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The EPA and FBI recently issued a statement warning homeowners about dangerous off-market coolants that could end up in your air conditioner and potentially cause a fire or even an explosion. The warning highlights the importance of working with a professional HVAC technician you can trust.
The Warning
Air conditioners manufactured prior to 2010 ran on a coolant called R-22. This coolant is no longer used in new air conditioners because scientists found that it was harmful to the earth’s ozone. Since manufacturers phased the production of air conditioners that run on this coolant, they are also slowly phasing out the production of R-22, which will be completely out of production in 2020.
Because the production of this coolant is slowing down, it’s becoming more expensive and sometimes harder to find. Its inflated price can really drive up the cost of repair for those units needing a recharge or, worse yet, have a coolant leak.
The tight market for R-22 has caused a black market of unlicensed R-22 replacements to pop up, such as 22a or R-22a. However, these coolants contain ingredients that regular R-22 does not, particularly hydrogen-based compounds like propane. R-22 air conditioners were not designed to run on a coolant that contains propane, which means that their presence can cause the coolant to become volatile within your air conditioner.
Fire or even explosion could occur when using R-22 offshoots.
What The Warning Means for You
You should know that a professional, trustworthy HVAC technician would never use an unlicensed R-22 coolant when recharging your air conditioner. A professional HVAC technician will tell you honestly about the following:
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- The phasing out of the R-22 and its increased cost
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- The expected cost to replace the R-22 for your specific situation
- The possibility of replacing your air conditioner with a new model if the repair is too costly.
As a consumer, you should know the following about your A/C:
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- The year your air conditioner was manufactured.
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- If manufactured before 2010, the type of coolant the unit uses. The air conditioner should have a plate on it that lists the coolant used.
- If the A/C uses R-22, you should specifically ask you HVAC technician what type of coolant they’ll be using to replace lost coolant.
Find a HVAC Technician You Can Trust
While it would be a nice world if you could trust everyone, it can be hard to find a heating and cooling company that you can really trust. You can always ask your friends for recommendations, or browse review sites like Yelp.com. Or you can ask the company if they have any NATE certified technicians on staff, or check your local Better Business Bureau for the company’s rating.
Just so you know, Richmond’s Air has an A+ rating with our local Better Business Bureau. Our goal is to provide high-quality, honest HVAC services to our customers in the metro-Houston area. We would never use a coolant that could put you and your family at risk.
If you have a need for service, repairs, or installation of an air conditioner, or even questions about the type of coolant your air conditioner uses, contact us today.
