The air conditioner in your home has freon. If your system runs out of freon or begins running low, there is a good chance that it’ll no longer blow out cold air. Once this happens, you’ll want to get your system filled with freon right away. Just remember that you’re going to receive a hefty repair bill. Unfortunately, freon is very expensive. It might be a quick repair, but the price of freon has climbed significantly in the last few years. Government legislation has caused the prices of R-22 to increase. It is being banned in the United States.
New HVAC equipment cannot use R-22 refrigerant. Below, you’ll find out why it is so expensive.
Environmental Issues
Many years ago, R-22 was regularly used around the country. It is still the most common refrigerant. However, the government has implemented protocols to ensure that it will be phased out son. All new HVAC equipment has to use a different refrigerant. R-22 freon was popular because it was affordable and easy to produce. The only downside is that it was harmful to the environment. It is a volatile compound that can deplete the ozone layer. Since the United States government has started combating climate change, it has decided to stop allowing air conditioner manufacturers to use R-22 freon.
In the next few years, freon will be phased out and replaced thanks to the EPA. Regardless, most older HVAC equipment has R-22 freon. Since it is harder to get now, it is more expensive. It is more expensive because it harms the environment.
Decreasing Supply
Another thing consumers must understand is that R-22 is quickly being phased out. Since it isn’t going to be used in the future, the supply of R-22 has dropped significantly. Ultimately, this is one of the main reasons it has become more expensive. Today, the production of freon is strictly regulated. It is often difficult to find freon when you need to refill your air conditioner. In many cases, HVAC technicians are going to refill AC equipment using reclaimed R-22 freon. As a result, this means that they’ve taken the freon from older equipment. Now, they’re using it to refill your old air conditioner.
Professionals often have difficulty trying to find suitable sources of R-22 freon. Sadly, this means that consumers are going to pay a lot more to get their HVAC systems filled with freon.
House Impact
Although you can likely get an R-22 refill right now, the demand and supply will be obsolete in the future. Therefore, it is pertinent to upgrade to a newer HVAC system at some point. Doing so ensures that you can begin using the newest and safest refrigerants. Nevertheless, you aren’t ready to upgrade yet. If this is the case, you’re likely wondering what you can do to recharge without overspending. Typically, you can save money by adding reclaimed freon to your unit. Just remember that this could lead to other problems. Using reclaimed freon could damage your unit and the atmosphere. You probably want to do everything in your power to protect Mother Nature.
The best way to do that is by replacing your existing HVAC equipment with equipment that works with the newest refrigerants. If this is something that interests you, call our office. Our technicians can help remove your existing equipment and replace it with a newer model.
As you’ve likely already guessed, the blower is responsible for blowing air from the furnace into your home. Unfortunately, it is common for consumers to experience problems with their air handlers. If your blower isn’t working, it could be a number of problems. The possible issues will be explored in greater detail below.
Dead Motor
The motor is responsible for turning the fan and blowing the air into your home. The motor is powerful because it has to push air throughout your home. When you turn on your furnace, the motor will work hard to push the warm air into your rooms. It takes a lot of power to force the warm air to reach the rooms furthest from your air handler. To minimize the risk, it is wise to properly maintain and lubricate the motor. However, there is always a chance that the motor is going to burn out. After all, it only has a short lifespan.
Once this happens, you need to replace the motor. Contact a professional HVAC technician in your area. They can help you determine whether the motor has malfunctioned. If it has, they’ll replace it for you right away.
Shortage
You may also experience an electrical shortage. Your air handler includes many components. Some of them require electricity. Even if you have a gas furnace, your furnace requires electricity to operate. If you experience an electrical shortage, the furnace likely won’t work. You’ll need to identify what is causing the shortage so you can rectify it immediately. The shortage might be near the air handler or the thermostat.
Again, it is often wise to work with a professional. They have experience finding and resolving electrical issues.
For all your air conditioning maintenance, repair, and refrigerant servicing needs, trust the experienced professionals at TOP HVAC LONG ISLAND to deliver exceptional quality workmanship, competitive pricing, and prompt service throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties—call us today to schedule your appointment and ensure your cooling system operates at peak efficiency all season long.