Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Freon Ban

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Starting early next year, the United States will no longer produce or import the refrigerant chemical R-22, commonly known as freon. This freon ban in Mesa, AZ might not sound like a big deal to those who aren’t in the HVAC industry, but it will actually affect us all. Continue reading to learn more about the ban and how it could potentially impact your day-to-day life.

Why is there a ban?

Freon does wonders to cool our homes and offices, but it’s horrible for the environment—the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has gone so far as to label it as a dangerous greenhouse gas. To protect the ozone layer and help mitigate the effects of global warming, the EPA is implementing this ban. It’s not just America implementing the ban, either—all 197 member countries in the United Nations agreed to start phasing out the use of R-22 over the coming decades in hopes of combating climate change.

How will it impact you?

There will be a limited amount of freon left after the ban goes into effect. As any economist will tell you, a limited supply means prices will rise for the freon that’s still on the market. More expensive freon means heating and air conditioning companies may have to start charging customers more when they need a freon recharge or other HVAC repairs in Mesa, AZ. The good news is that if your AC is less than 10 years old, it probably doesn’t use R-22, but instead employs a more eco-friendly coolant.

It’s time to be proactive!

If your unit is on the older side and still uses R-22, it’s time to get off the couch and call an HVAC pro. Here’s what we recommend doing:

  • Make repairs now: If it’s been a few years since your older AC has had a freon recharge, it’s a good idea to do it now! As we mentioned above, the cost of a recharge is likely to go up when the ban goes into effect, so having it done today will save you some money.
  • Schedule a maintenance call: Old or new, now is the perfect time to have an HVAC technician take a look at your AC unit. A routine maintenance call helps ensure your unit is energy efficient and prevents the need for emergency HVAC repairs in Mesa, AZ. Even though you might not need to flip on your AC for a while, it’s never a bad time to have it maintained.
  • Replace your unit if necessary: If you’ve been thinking about replacing your AC for a while, now is the time to do it! Newer models are both more energy and more cost efficient. You’ll save yourself hundreds of dollars on your monthly cooling bills over time if you buy a new unit today.

Put any worries about the freon ban in Mesa, AZ to rest, and purchase a new air conditioning unit from PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air. We sell the best brands in the industry and offer lifetime warranties for all of our units.