The following frequently asked questions will help homeowners make informed decisions when purchasing, servicing, or disposing of home air conditioners or other equipment that could contain ozone-depleting substances (). A fact sheet on repairing or purchasing a new new home air conditioner or heat pump is also available. It depends on the age of your unit. If you have a home air conditioner that was manufactured before January 1, 2010, it probably uses a refrigerant called hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-22 (also known as R-22). Because HCFC-22 depletes the Earth’s protective ozone layer, EPA regulations are gradually reducing the production and use of this refrigerant. In fact, manufacturers can no longer make new air conditioners that use HCFC-22. However, HCFC-22 can still be used to service existing air conditioners. The refrigerant used in your home air conditioner is typically listed on the unit’s nameplate. For central air conditioners, the nameplate is usually on the outdoor condenser.

If there is no nameplate, check your owner's manual or contact the person or company that sold or services your air conditioner. If you know the manufacturer and model number, you could also call the manufacturer or check its website. As of January 1, 2010, EPA has prohibited the manufacture and installation of new HCFC-22 appliances. So, you can no longer purchase a central air-conditioning unit that uses HCFC-22. However, you can continue to service your existing HCFC-22 system. You can also purchase a “self-contained” system (typically, a window unit) if is second-hand and/or was produced prior to 2010. Keep in mind that supplies of HCFC-22 are expected to become more limited in the years ahead as this refrigerant is phased out of production. Yes, a number of ozone-friendly refrigerants are available and widely used today. The most common alternative is R-410A, which is known by trade names such as GENETRON AZ-20®, SUVA 410A®, Forane® 410A, and Puron®. While R-410A is not ozone-depleting, it does contribute to climate change and should be handled appropriately.

EPA maintains a full list of acceptable substitutes for household and light commercial air-conditioning.air handling unit priceYou will not have to stop using HCFC-22, and you will not have to replace existing equipment just to switch to a new refrigerant. york air conditioner unit reviewsThe switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants is occurring gradually to allow consumers time to replace air conditioners on a normal schedule.water in window air conditioner But, supplies of HCFC-22 will be more limited and more expensive in the years ahead as the refrigerant is phased out of production. Starting in 2020, new HCFC-22 can no longer be produced, so consumers will need to rely on reclaimed and previously-produced quantities to service any home air-conditioning systems still operating after that date.

EPA regulations allow owners of existing HCFC-22 home air conditioners to replace their condensing unit with a new one if it breaks or is damaged. However, the HCFC-22 condensing units must meet regional efficiency standards when tested in accordance with DOE’s recently-published test procedure. Condensing units installed in the Southeast and Southwest are now subject to higher efficiency standards.  As a result, availability of HCFC-22 condensing units may be limited in future.  If you have questions about DOE’s efficiency standards for central air conditioners, contact DOE at central_air_conditioners_and_heat_pumps@EE.Doe.Gov The most important step you can take is to maintain your unit properly. Major leaks rarely develop in properly installed and regularly maintained units. If your air conditioner leaks, ask your service technicians to locate and repair the leak instead of "topping it off." Repairing leaks will keep your system operating at its best, while reducing refrigerant emissions and energy use.

You can also save money by avoiding additional repairs in the future. Work with reputable dealers that employ service technicians who are EPA-certified to handle refrigerants used in air conditioners. Technicians often call this certification "Section 608 certification," which refers to a portion of the Clean Air Act. When speaking with an air-conditioning service company, ask if their technicians are Section 608-certified. You can also ask a service technician to show you his/her certification card. If your air conditioner contains alternative refrigerants, the service technician should be trained in their use. You have a number of options. If you purchase a new appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer, the retailer will likely remove the old one. Many governments and private organizations also will arrange for curbside pickup of appliances. Do not tamper with an appliance before it is disposed of, such as by cutting refrigerant lines or remove compressors. EPA requires the safe disposal of ozone-depleting refrigerants in appliances so they do not harm the environment.

You can learn more through EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal program.I'm Dr. Vinifera, or "Vinny" for short. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the technical aspects of winemaking to the fine points of etiquette. I hope you find my answers educational and even amusing. Looking for a particular answer? Check my archive and my FAQs. You can also follow me on Twitter: @AskDrVinny. Do you have a question for Dr. Vinny? I've heard that using a window air-conditioning unit as a cooler for a wine cellar is "not an option.” Compared to a through-the-wall wine cooler, they both use a condenser/evaporator refrigeration system and both have isolated inside-air and outside-air systems. A 1,500-BTU wine cooler costs $1,500. A 6,000-BTU window air conditioner costs $190. —Peter B., Walnut Creek, Calif. I know some people that have chosen an air conditioner for the purpose of refrigeration in their cellar, but there are some disadvantages that come with the lower cost.

First off, air-conditioning units are typically only set to go down to about 62° F, which is a little off from the ideal 55° F target. Air conditioners also tend to cool in part by drying out the air—there’s a lot of condensation coming out of a window unit. While you’re right that there is sometimes some condensation with cellar-refrigeration units, it’s typically considerably less. After all, cellar-refrigeration units are designed specifically to cool air down to 55° F and keep the humidity around 70 percent. With an air-conditioning unit, you’re probably only going to get down to 62° F, with humidity around 35 percent. I know that some wine lovers question the necessity of humidity in a wine cellar. I’ve always said that the most important thing about wine storage is a consistent temperature in the 55° F range, but I think it’s a good idea to take light, vibration and humidity into account. A healthy relative humidity can help keep corks from drying out, and dry corks can compromise the seal and prematurely age wine.