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.You will not have to stop using HCFC-22, and you will not have to replace existing equipment just to switch to a new refrigerant. The switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants is occurring gradually to allow consumers time to replace air conditioners on a normal schedule. 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.Govhouse ac unit problems The most important step you can take is to maintain your unit properly. parts of a central ac unitMajor leaks rarely develop in properly installed and regularly maintained units. what size ac unit for roomIf 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.Central Air Conditioners in Northeastern Indiana The invention of the window air conditioning unit in the 1950s is what first allowed electro-mechanical air conditioning to become widely available to the general public. Window units are still around today, but they are useful primarily for small apartments. They don’t offer much benefit to a multi-room home. Not only are they inconvenient, they are energy inefficient and cannot provide the cooling a family requires for summer comfort compared to the modern central air conditioning system. If you’re looking to have central air conditioning installed in your home, call Collier's Heating & Air Conditioning and speak with our air conditioning experts. Along with new central AC installations, our team serves the Fort Wayne and Warsaw, IN areas with excellent service to replace older central air units, repair malfunctioning ones, and handle regular annual maintenance.

Our company’s philosophy is to ensure that the customer is satisfied with every job! Your Satisfaction with every job. We Install the Central Air Units You Need A whole–house central air conditioner runs as a split system, using both indoor and outdoor cabinets. The indoor unit sends cooled air into a network of ducts that carry the air to vents all around the house, and the outdoor unit exhaust the heat carried from the inside unit. The outdoor cabinet also contains the viral compressor, the component that adds energy to the refrigerant to make it circulate through the system. This is obviously a complex system, and to install one you must rely on professionals only. Our HVAC technicians have the knowledge, experience, and tools to make certain that you receive the right central AC for your household needs. Some Signs You Need Central Air Conditioning Repairs Professional installation will give a central air conditioner the best start, and provided it receives routine maintenance (see below), the AC should have years of trouble–free cooling.

But there’s no way to ensure that an air conditioner will always work without malfunctions. Call for our professionals in North Eastern Indiana, should you notice any of the following warning signs: Uneven cooling: When hot spots start to emerge in rooms around the house, it often means the AC is losing its cooling ability or something is wrong with the blower fan. Strange noises: Never ignore odd rattling, hissing, and grinding sounds coming from your air conditioner. It could mean anything from leaking refrigerant to motors about to burn out. Ice along the evaporator coil: No part of an air conditioning system should ever have ice appearing on it. If ice forms along the evaporator (indoor) coil, it means something is wrong, and it may even be affecting the compressor. We Also Offer Regular Maintenance for Central AC Systems Regular maintenance involves a spring visit from an air conditioning technician who will inspect the system and provide any necessary cleaning and adjustments to make certain that the central AC will work in the best condition throughout the summer.