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Heating Cooling |
What is happening with refrigerants in air conditioning systems? Q: What is happening with refrigerants in air conditioning systems? A: Due to environmental concerns, our federal government has issued regulations that restrict the future production of HCFC refrigerants. This is having, and will continue to have, significant impact on the air conditioning industry. We want you to know that Lennox is aggressively responding to this challenge and preparing now for the opportunities of the future. BACKGROUND There have been many reports regarding air conditioner refrigerants and their effect on the earth’s ozone layer. Refrigerant is the cooling agent used in air conditioning systems. Most all of the air conditioner and heat pump products sold today utilize one refrigerant known as R22, which is from the family of refrigerants called HCFCs. HCFCs have been used for decades in a safe and efficient manner, but government regulation will eventually phase them out of use. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS FOR REFRIGERANTS? The United States congress, acting in response to an international treaty called the Montreal Protocol, provided new direction and authority to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a result, the EPA, through the Clean Air Act, is regulating the production and use of refrigerants in air conditioning systems. These changes will eventually eliminate air conditioning refrigerants containing chlorine due to the concern about ozone depletion. HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE EQUIPMENT I MIGHT BUY NOW? EPA regulations call for the eventual phase out of R22 which is the refrigerant used in current air conditioner and heat pump equipment. Products that use HCFC refrigerants, such as R22, must stop being produced by the year 2010. All production of R22 refrigerant will stop by 2020. SHOULD I HESITATE TO BUY A NEW AIR CONDITIONER OR HEAT PUMP? There is no need to hesitate buying current air conditioning or heat pump equipment. The air conditioning industry has worked closely with the EPA to coordinate the eventual HCFC phase-out so that consumers can have confidence that the products they purchase today will be capable of supplying their home heating and cooling needs for the full expected life-span of the air conditioner or heat pump. Sufficient quantity of R22 refrigerant will continue to be produced for any service needs that may arise until 2020. After 2020, recycled refrigerants will be available, for many years, which will safely fulfill all service needs for products that use R22. WILL THESE REFRIGERANT CHANGES MAKE NEW EQUIPMENT MORE EXPENSIVE? Given the costs associated with developing the best new air conditioning products for customers, the initial cost of any new refrigerant is expected to be quite high. Today, cost of experimental alternate refrigerant is approximately four times that of the current R22 refrigerant; but, as production of new refrigerants increases, the costs will naturally come down. HOW SHOULD I KNOW WHAT REFRIGERANT TO BUY? The apparent refrigerant of choice to replace R22 is known as R410A. WHAT ARE LENNOX' PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? Lennox Industries is committed to remain a leader in technological innovation, and to that end, we have been working in cooperation with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) on investigating long-term replacements for R22. Through this research thirteen potential replacements for R22 have been identified. The refrigerant option offered by Lennox, a leader in home comfort for over 100 years, will benefit both the environment and consumer. Lennox' Elite 13™ air conditioners and heat pumps with R410A are now available. R410A refrigerant has the following attributes: - Non ozone-depleting - Chlorine-free - 50 percent CH2F2 - 50 percent CHF2CF3 R410A is marketed by Honeywell as Genetron® AZ20. Additionally, R410A is marketed under the brand name of Puron® by Carrier Corporation and by Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems. The highly efficient and reliable Elite 13 also has numerous consumer-friendly characteristics, including: - Energy Star qualification; meets the EPA's non-pollution and high-efficiency standards. - Compact dimensions - 10-year compressor warranty and five-year parts warranty. - Hush Tone™ Cabinet Design with separate insulated compressor compartment for low operating noise. - Lowest overall sound ratings in its class. - Scroll compressor, designed for use with R410A refrigerant, with fewer moving parts and better liquid tolerance. © Copyright Lennox Industries Inc., 1999 - 2001 |
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