If your air conditioner has died, you may be tempted to replace it with a “dry” unit, one that doesn’t have R-22 freon in it.
Manufacturers began shipping dry units in 2010, when the EPA rule outlawing new units with R-22 freon took effect. R-22 freon has been replaced by the more environmentally friendly 410-A coolant.
Change is always hard, though, and some manufacturers took advantage of a loophole in the EPA rule and started shipping a/c units without freon in them, AKA “dry R-22 condensing units.” Now, it’s true that R-22 freon can be purchased separately and installed in dry units, but R-22 is on its way out; it’s in short supply and eventually (in 1-5 years) will become so rare and expensive that purchasing it for an a/c system will be cost-prohibitive.
Manufacturers seem to have little confidence in their “dry” units, which is why they are offering only five-year warranties on them and, in some cases, only a one-year warranty on parts.
New 410-A equipment, on the other hand, is being offered with a ten-year warranty and, in some cases, a twelve-year or lifetime warranty.
The Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and Carrier want the EPA to close the loophole so manufacturers have to stop shipping dry units. The debate is ongoing, but the dry shipments are expected to continue through 2012. The only thing that will possibly stop these shipments is dwindling supplies of R-22 freon.
So, if your air conditioner has died, the best course is to replace it with a system that is guaranteed and can be serviced for many years to come. In this case, what’s good for the environment also is good for your wallet, long-term. Call us now at 407-870-7755 to learn more.
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