Arizona Homeowners Could Be “Left Out In the Cold” Following Final R22 Refrigerant Phase

In 10/2014, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the final phasing out of the refrigerant gas R-22. Since 2010, the EPA has also banned sale of new air-conditioning units containing the compound and made it a crime to refill existing A/C

Scottsdale, AZ, August 17, 2016 -- In 10/2014, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the final phasing out schedule of the production and importation of HCFC-22, also known as R-22. The order called for a rapid phase-out with no new, or imported R-22, being allowed in the United States after Jan. 1, 2020. Since 2015, production of R-22 has been cut nearly 90 percent. R-22 is being phased out because of its Global Warming Potential (GWP) and ability to deplete the ozone layer.

Since 2010, the EPA has also banned sale of new air-conditioning units containing the compound and made it a crime to refill A/C units with new R-22 forcing companies to use “reclaimed” compound from old units. Due to this great reduction, it will progressively become more difficult to maintain R-22 charged A/C systems due to the scarcity and cost of the refrigerant.

While this might be great for the environment, it is bad news for the millions of homes in Arizona with air conditioning systems built before 2010 when R-22 was still the refrigerant gas of choice. All of these R-22 charged A/C systems are nearing the end of their useful life or approaching it. What happens to these units as they need service, as they most certainly will? According to the EPA, accounting for servicing units made prior to 2010 isn’t their problem and the aggressive phase-out of R-22 was recently accelerated. 

Refrigerant leakage is a common, very serious, failure of older A/C systems. AC by J CEO, Bryce Johnson says, “Air conditioning units with leaking refrigerant coils will continue to leak making the unit less and less efficient, needlessly increasing utility costs, until the whole system stops working. Leaking coils happen quietly and you will probably not be aware of a problem until the issue with your unit is significant. We call it the ‘silent killer’”.

No place in the USA is air conditioning more important than Arizona. Because of the actions of the EPA, parts for R-22 equipment and the expense of R-22 Freon has risen at a pace where the EPA is pretty much forcing homeowner(s) to upgrade their air conditioning system at the next failure or pay a hefty price for parts and refrigerant.

Bryce Johnson says, “The axe isn’t ‘about’ to fall; it is in mid-swing right now. My company can perform a thorough analysis of any homeowner’s air conditioning system and provide a detailed report of the system’s health. If the system is leaking refrigerant, and we catch it early enough, there is a good possibility that we have an inexpensive repair available that will buy the homeowner some time; possibly even some years.”

But with these draconian EPA measures being put into play now, AC by J highly recommends that all Arizona homeowners, with A/C systems older than 2010, immediately get a full system tune up and thorough report on the condition of the unit. The days of being able to “ignore” your R-22 charged air conditioner are over. People in Arizona now need to think in terms of keeping their R-22 charged unit running while they prepare to replace it. Homeowners do not want this expense to come as a surprise.

About AC by J:

AC by J is the Valley of the Sun’s premier air conditioning, heating and plumbing company. They maintain an “A+” Rating with the Better Business Bureau. Right now, get a complete AC tune up, and full A/C system health report, for $59.95. Call: 602-COMFORT or book online: http://www.acbyj.com/ac-tune-ups.

Contact:

Marketing Department

AC by Jay

7595 East Gray, Ste. 1

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

602-842-6972

kilohs@acbyj.com

http://www.acbyj.com