You may have heard some rumblings about R-22 lately. So what exactly is going on? Well, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) issued the Final Rule in 2009 to begin phasing out R-22 refrigerant because of its harmful effect on the environment (ozone layer). The plan was to create a slow and steady reduction in supply and increase in reclamation (reclaiming the existing R-22 from current systems) from 2010-2014 to help ensure a smooth transition away from R-22.
Apparently, it’s not going well. Currently, the industry is at 30% of the EPA’s stated goal for reclamation. Significant inventory still exists and retrofitting old units has created additional R-22 supplies. Since R-22 use did not see the reductions anticipated, the EPA took some drastic measures to make sure change happens in the market.
In January of 2012, the EPA issued a new proposal for 2012-2014. The original proposal called for a 10% reduction in production and importation rites of R-22 from the previous year’s numbers. On January 20th, the EPA upped the ante by demanding an additional 35% (making a total reduction of 45% from last year’s numbers).
What this means for consumers is that the supply of R-22 will be reduced and the demand will increase. What we learned in basic Economy 101 is that we should expect a sharp increase in the price of R-22 refrigerant. And there’s no reason to see it going anywhere but up. Unfortunately, the most popular replacement refrigerant, R-410A, cannot be used in systems designed for R-22 refrigerant. Manufacturers are working on other refrigerants, however, that are more interchangeable. If you own an older air conditioner and need replacement, it would be wise to consider replacing it with a newer model that can use the newer refrigerants. Otherwise, you may be forced to pay top dollar for R-22 in the future.
Because there has been a sharp increase in the price of copper recently, copper theft has become a problem across the country. Thieves are vandalizing outdoor air conditioning units and stealing the copper coils to sell as scrap. Copper prices fluctuate, and currently, it is worth over $3.00 a pound. This has copper thieves working overtime.
Authorities are doing what they can to try to stop this trend. The Detroit City Council and the Michigan Legislature have both beefed up legal regulations. The Detroit City Council amended an ordinance to place stricter regulations on scrap metal dealers who buy the stolen goods. The Michigan state legislature placed tougher penalties on certain entities caught buying or selling stolen copper cable. Both are offering rewards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of copper thieves and people buying stolen copper.
Businesses that tend to be unoccupied at night and empty homes like those for sale are often targeted. The problem is nationwide and some thieves have been brazen enough to strike in the middle of the day and even target empty homes in heavily populated residential neighborhoods. So be on the lookout for suspicious people if there are any homes in your neighborhood for sale.
At Home Comfort Experts, we’re aware of this unwelcomed trend, so we offer a free theft deterrent device with any $79 tune-up. Feel free to call us for more information. You’ll find the number to the closest location on our home page.
I can’t believe my air conditioner is frozen! It’s been over 90 degrees for days on end.
As crazy as this sounds, this happens all too frequently. Even with seasonal maintenance and changing your filter regularly, it can happen. Here’s some information on WHY it happens, and some tips on how to handle a frozen AC when it DOES happen.
Lack of air flow – this is one of the most common reasons many air conditioners freeze up. Anytime you have limited airflow (dirty filters or undersized ducts) you are running the risk of causing the temperature of your AC’s cooling coil to drop below freezing. Basically, as warm air moves through your return ducts, it passes over extremely cold refrigerant coil to drop off its heat. While it comes into contact with the coil, moisture in the air condenses. Normally it will roll right off into the drain line. However, if the AC’s airflow is compromised, the water will not move and will end up freezing to the coil! Normally, changing the filters is enough to fix this problem. If your air conditioner is freezing up due to undersized ducts, you should call Home Comfort Experts and have one of our expert technicians take a look at your problem and offer their suggestions.
Refrigerant leaks – the amount of refrigerant in your air conditioner has to be carefully balanced if you want to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. If there is too little refrigerant in your coil, it will not be able to absorb enough heat and will end up freezing.
Outdoor temperature – summer is supposed to be hot, but when it gets especially cold at night, there is a chance that your air conditioner could freeze up. Air conditioners don’t do well when temperatures are below 60 F. Fortunately, at these temperatures you don’t really even need to use your AC at all! If temperatures drop this low, turn off the AC and throw open the windows. You’ll save your air conditioner, and save some money at the same time!
How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner – To fix a frozen air conditioner, first you have to figure out what caused it to freeze up in the first place. Regardless of the cause, the first thing you should do if your air conditioner is frozen is turn it off and let it defrost – this will prevent any serious damage to the system. Next, check all the air filters in your home to see if they are dirty or blocked. If they are dirty, clean or replace them.
Check back in 24 hours – if there is no more ice on your compressor, changing the filters solved the problem. If a lack of refrigerant has caused your air conditioner to freeze, talk to us about correcting the levels. Our experts will know exactly how much refrigerant you’ll need in your system to ensure optimal air conditioner operation. In addition, if your air conditioner is freezing due to a refrigerant leak, we’ll be able to fix it. There’s also the chance that your defrost timer is broken, which can also be addressed by our technician.
If any of the above troubleshooting tips do not correct the problem, Call the experts at Home Comfort Experts and we’ll provide a professional technician to service and repair your unit and keep you comfortable all summer long!