In the Valley of the Sun, air conditioning isn’t a luxury. It’s an absolute necessity. Whether it’s in your car or in your home, air conditioners use refrigerant to cool warm air and keep you comfortable. If your home HVAC unit was manufactured prior to 2003, it likely uses a refrigerant called chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), commonly referred to by the brand name Freon. Because Freon has been linked to ozone depletion, it is being phased out and replaced by more eco-friendly alternatives.
Due to this phase out, getting replacement Freon has become more difficult and expensive. If you have an aging air conditioning unit, it makes sense to make the switch to a more ozone-friendly alternative. Freon is no longer being produced by manufacturers for new equipment and can only be produced for the service of older equipment. After 2020, Freon will no longer be made in the United States and will only be available from recycled products.
Blowing Hot Air?
While an air conditioner or rooftop air conditioner that is blowing hot air could have a coolant leak, there could be other causes to the problem, including a broken condenser fan motor, a clogged filter or even a malfunctioning thermostat. Air conditioner Coolant like Freon should not deplete on its own, even in an older unit. If the coolant is low, this indicates a leak and requires a service call to find and fix the leak.
Disposing of Freon
When you are ready for a replacement freon air conditioner, the Freon in your older unit must be recovered and recycled. It cannot be vented into the atmosphere during service or disposal of the unit. Scrap yards and landfills may require proof that the refrigerant was removed before they will accept an air conditioner. This is why it’s wise to choose an experienced air conditioning installer who is trained in the removal of Freon, as well as the installation of new systems.
Are you ready to replace an aging freon air conditioner? Have a unit that isn’t cooling sufficiently? Call the experts at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating today at 480-968-5652. We’re here to help with all of your HVAC service and installation needs.
