If you have a basic understanding of how your air conditioner in Washington, D.C. works, then you understand that the refrigerant in your system plays a vital role in the cooling process. Refrigerant is a heat transfer fluid that is evaporated in the indoor coil of your air conditioner. As the refrigerant evaporates, it draws heat out of the air surrounding and passing over the evaporator coil. The heat is released outside as the refrigerant is condensed, and the cycle continues until the desired temperature is met.
What you may not realize, though, is that “refrigerant” is an umbrella term covering many different heat transfer chemical blends. R-22 is one of the most common refrigerants used in air conditioning systems today. It is also being entirely phased out of use and production in accordance with the Clean Air Act of 2010. 2020 will mark the completion of the R-22 phaseout.
There is nothing better than coming home to a cool, comfortable environment on a hot summer day. When the heat of summer is at its worst, your air conditioner is your last line of defense against serious discomfort. That is exactly why any problems with your air conditioner should be dealt with immediately. Ignoring “minor” problems with your AC is only going to give those problems the opportunity that they need to get worse, negatively affect your comfort, and potentially do costly damage.
Can a ductless AC save you money? It is certainly possible. Ductless air conditioning has a number of benefits to offer homeowners, and some of them are definitely of the financial variety. Just remember that it is important to work with trained professionals when investing in, installing, or servicing any air conditioning system. Only then will you truly be able to reap the full benefits of the system in question.
If you are thinking about replacing your air conditioner, now is a good time to have the job done. An air conditioner replacement is not something to put off until the last minute. If you do, you run the risk of being caught off-guard by the early arrival of summer heat. When that happens, you may find yourself without air conditioning at all, or perhaps convincing yourself that you can get one more season out of a faltering system.