Air conditioning units are manufactured to meet or exceed minimum efficiency standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy. For nearly a decade, the minimum has been 10 SEER. On January 23, 2006, the
minimum
jumped to 13 SEER, a 30% increase over the current standard. This will only apply to new equipment manufactured as of this date and thereafter. For more information on 13 SEER efficiency mandate, visit
www.energy.gov.
Your Refrigerant is Due
for a Change, too: Another change you
need to be aware of is the phase
out of R-22, the refrigerant
most commonly used in today’s
air conditioners and heat pumps.
By 2010, all new air conditioners
and heat pumps will be required
to use “environmentally sound”
refrigerant, such as Puron R410.
This phase out has been mandated
in an effort to help protect
the Earth’s ozone layer. We’ve
seen this before. In the late
1980s, environmental concerns
led to a total phase out of R-12
in automotive air conditioners
and caused the cost to rise rapidly.
Changing to Puron R410 refrigerant
now, can protect you from the
potentially higher future costs
of servicing an air conditioner
or heat pump that uses R-22.
After January 1, 2010 equipment
can no longer be manufactured
using R-22.
Puron R410 replaces Freon-22 with proven efficiency and comfort. It’s a refrigerant some manufacturers like Bryant have been using quite successfully, in homes like yours since 1996.
