If you've priced a new air conditioner or heat pump lately, you may have heard about a new refrigerant. Here's what it means if your system runs on the old one.
What changed
Federal rules are phasing down refrigerants like R-410A that have a high global warming potential. New home systems now use lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B, which Carrier sells as Puron Advance™. Carrier says it has a global warming potential 75% lower than R-410A.
Your R-410A system still works
Nothing requires you to replace a working R-410A system. It can still be serviced and repaired, and R-410A is still available for repairs. Supply is being reduced over time, so it may cost more in the years ahead.
Repair or replace?
Our advice is simple: repair it, unless the repair is costly. A capacitor, a motor or a control board on a sound system is usually worth fixing. A major repair, like a compressor, a coil, or a leak that needs a lot of refrigerant, on an older system is when we'd recommend pricing a replacement instead. See repair or replace your air conditioner for the other things to weigh.
Why the refrigerants can't be mixed
R-410A and R-454B systems are designed for their own refrigerant. You can't put R-454B in an R-410A system, and a new outdoor unit generally needs a matching indoor coil.
Questions about your system? Call us at 805-965-6326. Quotes on new equipment are free.
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