Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Freon Ban

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.