Hot weather is right around the corner. You want to make sure that your air conditioner is prepared to handle the workload it will face during the warm summer months, and this means making sure you have an AC system that is sustainable.

As of January 1, 2020, R-22 refrigerant (better known as Freon) can no longer be made or imported into the United States. Many older air conditioners rely on Freon to produce cool air. It may be time for you to invest in a new air conditioner unit if the ban on Freon will affect you.

Freon Availability

The Freon ban that went into effect this year will impact the availability of this refrigerant in the future. Any refrigerant that has already been manufactured or that can be reclaimed from existing air conditioner systems will continue to be available to homeowners. This means that you will be able to keep Freon in your AC system for a limited time. However, opting to replace your AC system now will ensure that you don't have to worry about running out of Freon on a hot summer day.

Replacement Options

You have a few options available if you decide that you want to move away from a Freon-based AC system as a result of the R-22 ban. The first option would be to have the refrigerant supply components on your existing system upgraded or replaced.

You can retrofit your system to use another refrigerant that remains readily available on the market. Be sure that you take into consideration the effect that the retrofitting process could have on any manufacturer's warranty that's still in effect for your AC system.

The second option would be to replace your AC system entirely. Purchasing a new unit will allow you to keep your warranty intact while ensuring that you will be able to buy refrigerant when needed in the future.

Additional Benefits

Installing a new AC system in your home can be costly. Fortunately, you will be able to enjoy a wide range of benefits when you replace your Freon-based system with a new one.

New AC units can offer greater energy efficiency that will help you reduce your utility costs. A new AC system will also be more affordable to maintain. These benefits, combined with the inevitable scarcity of R-22 refrigerant, are great reasons to be proactive and install a new AC system before the summer heat hits. Contact a company that offers air conditioning replacement services to learn more.