As the temperatures begin to rise and we start thinking about getting AC tune-ups in order to prepare our ACs for the blistering heat of Utah summers, you may need to take a look at your unit’s refrigerant. There are two main types of refrigerants: R22 and R410A, also known as Freon and Puron. Your refrigerant is the part of your system that’s responsible for cooling the air down inside your home, and can also heat the air if you have a heat pump. As you can imagine, it’s one of the most crucial parts of your system, so the difference between R22 and R410A matters a great deal.

Though R22 and R410A are both refrigerants, they aren’t interchangeable, and you will likely need to upgrade your system if it has an R22 refrigerant. If you have an older system, chances are that it has an R22 refrigerant – which has since been phased out and banned by the Environmental Protection Agency. If that’s so, it would likely be the better choice to upgrade your system to one that is compatible with an R410A refrigerant.

Here’s what you need to know about the difference between R22 and R410A for your AC’s refrigerant so that you can understand why R22s have been phased out and why they’re being replaced with R410As.

The Differences Between R22 And R410A

As we’ve mentioned above, R22 refrigerants have been banned and new air conditioning systems are designed to be compatible with R410A refrigerants instead. Why the phase out? What’s the difference between R22 and R410A, and how is it so significant that the Environmental Protection Agency itself necessitated that R22s be replaced with R410As?

What You Need To Know About R22 Refrigerants

R22 refrigerants are no longer used in new AC systems, due to the fact that they harm the ozone layer. The key difference between R22 and R410A is that R22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon while R410A isn’t. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are chemicals that have been the most responsible for damage to the ozone layer over the past few decades. Since steps, such as banning R22s, have been taken, damage to the ozone layer has slowly started to reverse.

This matters significantly because the ozone layer is responsible for protecting us from harmful UV B radiation. UV B radiation causes skin cancer, cataracts, and hurts both animals and plants alike. By government regulation, R22 has been discontinued, in order to protect us from said harmful radiation. Thus, if your AC system has an R22 refrigerant, it’s recommended that you upgrade it, as it can be both costly and difficult to fix in the event that your system needs a recharge.

As of January 1, 2020, R22s are no longer manufactured in the United States or imported. If your air conditioning unit still has one, it is much more cost-effective and environmentally friendly to upgrade your system to one that is compatible with an R410A refrigerant.

What You Need To Know About R410A Refrigerants

Since the Environmental Protection Agency began phasing out R22s back in the early 2000s, air conditioning systems have since been designed to use R410A refrigerants instead. The major difference between R22 and R410A is that R410As are significantly more efficient and environmentally friendly. Not only are R410A refrigerants more eco-friendly, they also perform better. Most modern air conditioners now use R410As.

Why Switch From An R22 To An R410A?

If you’re having an AC tune-up and your technician notices you have an R22, they’ll likely recommend that you upgrade to a system that is compatible with an R410A. Unfortunately, they cannot simply switch each other out, as they are incompatible and operate at different pressures, however, you’ll find making the upgrade is the more cost-effective choice in the long run.

We recommend that you make the change from an R22 to an R410A for multiple reasons that extend beyond the fact that R22s are banned now. Some of the key differences between R22 and R410As that serve as compelling reasons to make the switch and upgrade your system include:

Reduced ozone damage, as R410As are more eco-friendly.
Reduced cost. R22s are very hard to find now, which makes repairs incredibly expensive.
Increased efficiency and performance. R410As perform better than R22s, which also saves you money on your energy expenses.

If you need to have an AC tune-up or are wondering about the differences between R22 and R410A refrigerants and whether or not you need to upgrade your system, R&D HVAC is here to help. Contact us today for more information or to set up a service!

HVAC Maintenance Tips

March marks the beginning of spring, making it the perfect time to do spring HVAC maintenance. These temperate seasons between the extremes of winter and summer are ideal for maintaining your HVAC system, since you’re not relying on it as much to keep you comfortable. In order to keep your system running smoothly and to prepare it for the scorching summer months, you’ll want to conduct spring HVAC maintenance. Some parts of maintaining your HVAC system you can do yourself while others necessitate a professional’s expertise.

Here’s what you need to know about why spring HVAC maintenance is important and some helpful tips you can use to keep it at peak performance.

Why Spring HVAC Maintenance Is Important

The same as anything else, your HVAC system needs maintenance in order to operate properly and prevent problems from occurring. If you don’t maintain your system, you could run into problems such as system failure when you need it most, leaving you hot and sweaty and waiting for a technician to be able to get out to you to fix or replace it.

Spring HVAC maintenance extends your system’s lifespan, since it keeps it in good condition; it prevents emergencies, such as your system breaking; and it keeps you comfortable all year round. It also ensures that you don’t have to worry about spiking energy bills, unreliable temperatures, or a voided warranty. Spring HVAC maintenance is essential for your comfort and the comfort of your bank account, too.

Spring HVAC Maintenance Tips

Some parts of HVAC maintenance require a professional. However, while you’re already spring cleaning the rest of your home, there are things you can do yourself. Here are some spring HVAC maintenance tips you can use.

#1. Check And Replace Your Air Filter

Your HVAC unit has an air filter which keeps the air inside your home nice and breathable and less polluted. However, air filters get dirty and need to be replaced. If your air filter needs replacement, it can restrict airflow, raise your energy bill by making your system work harder, and even foster mold growth if it gets damp.

It’s generally recommended that you replace your air filter every 30-90 days in order to keep your air clean and your unit running properly.

#2. Check And Clean Your Ducts

Your ducts are another key component of your HVAC system. During your spring HVAC maintenance, you want to ensure that you have your ductwork inspected for any leaks or cracks or holes or buildup or dust or other such allergens. Mold can also grow in your ducts, which can cause serious damage, as well as health problems. It’s generally recommended that you have your ducts cleaned every 5-7 years in order to keep your system efficient and your air clean.

#3. Clear Your Drainage Hole

Your AC has a drainage hole at its cabinet’s base which must be kept clear in order to be able to drain. If your AC’s drainage hole gets clogged, this prevents it from draining, which lowers its efficiency. You will also want to check the P-trap, which is close to the drainage hole, as this can get clogged too.

#4. Install A Programmable Thermostat

replace your thermostat Thermostats Replacement Roy Utah

A great way to prepare your HVAC system for the summer and keep it running smoothly is to install a programmable thermostat. When you can program your thermostat, it ensures that it only runs when it needs to, saving you money on your energy bill. A programmable thermostat can also extend the life of your HVAC system by lessening wear and tear and optimizing temperatures.

#5. Inspect And Clean Your Outdoor Unit

An essential part of spring HVAC maintenance is cleaning and inspecting your outdoor unit. It’s easy for debris to build up on and around it. You want it clean and the area around it clear in order to ensure good air flow. This is also the time to inspect it for any damages that need to be repaired before the heat strikes.

#6. Test Your AC

Spring is the optimal time to test your AC to ensure it works right. This way, if there are any problems with your air conditioning, you can get them resolved before you’re relying on it to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

#7. Schedule Professional Maintenance

While there are many things you can do to help keep your HVAC in condition, professional maintenance will catch any problems early and clean and lubricate your system to keep it running its best. Scheduling a professional HVAC tune-up is one of the best things you can do as part of your spring HVAC maintenance.

Do You Need Spring HVAC Maintenance?

R&D Heating And Air offer professional HVAC services. If you need to schedule a tune-up or have any repairs you need done, don’t hesitate to contact us today! We’re here to help.

Your refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in your home. You need it to keep your food fresh and preserved, so it’s important to be aware of common refrigerator problems you may run into, so that you can keep it functioning properly. Just like everything else, refrigerators are subject to wear and tear and malfunctioning from time to time. Some common refrigerator problems you’ll run into you may be able to fix yourself; others, you’ll need to call an experienced professional to come out and take care of.

In order to determine whether or not your issues are something you can DIY a fix for or whether you’ll need help with, you’ll need to know what the cause of these common refrigerator problems even is. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always best to contact your local repair technician for advice so that you can pinpoint the source of the problem and get your fridge back in good working order as soon as possible.

Here are 6 common refrigerator problems that you should know about and whether or not you’ll be able to fix them yourself or if you’ll need professional help.

#1. Water Leaking On The Floor

One of the most common refrigerator problems people face is water leaking onto your floors. This is both dangerous and complex. Water can cause people to slip and get injured, and if water is leaking from your fridge, there can be a number of potential causes for this. Water leaking from your fridge can be caused by:

A blocked defrost drain

This can generally be fixed yourself, by draining the hole to remove buildup, or manually removing what’s blocking the drain.

A clogged or frozen water supply

You may be able to fix this through turning off your fridge and checking your shut-off valve, to ensure it’s closed and there are no problems in the water supply line. If there are, you’ll need to have it replaced.

#2. Freezer Isn’t Freezing

Is your ice cream all melty and your freezer just isn’t keeping your frozen goods frozen? This is one of the common refrigerator problems that is generally an easy fix. You’ll just have to see if the back of your freezer is cold, and if it isn’t, ensure that the freezer fan is working properly and your condenser coils are clean. If this doesn’t help, you may need to either call a technician or it could be a sign that you need a new fridge.

#3. Warm Fresh Food Compartment

Your fresh foods are meant to be somewhat cool in order to ensure that they stay… fresh. If your fresh food compartment is warming up, this could be because you have an airflow problem between the freezer and the fridge, as your freezer is what generates the cold air in your fridge. You’ll want to check if your fan is running, and if it isn’t, or it sounds strange, you may need to replace the motor.

#4. Cycling Too Often

Nothing annoys quite like noisy appliances. In addition to grating on your nerves, if your refrigerator is cycling too often, this is one of those common refrigerator problems that doesn’t just annoy, but also costs you money, as it causes your energy bill to spike. There are a few potential reasons why your fridge could be cycling too often.

The condenser coils need to be cleaned of buildup.
The temperature is set too low.
There’s a defective part, which a technician could help you with.

#5. Refrigerator Freezing Food

Your freezer is the one that’s supposed to be freezing your food, not your fridge. If your eggs are freezing instead of staying cool, this is more likely than not due to an issue with the thermostat’s temperature controls. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, it can cause your system to run longer than necessary, freezing your food. You can test it for continuity. If it doesn’t have this, you’ll likely need to replace your thermostat.

#6. Water Dispenser Not Working

We rely on our refrigerators for clean, fresh water. If your water dispenser isn’t working, this is one of those common refrigerator problems that has a few potential causes.

The water tube is frozen. Generally, you can just thaw it out and ensure your freezer is set at a good temperature.
The water inlet valve is faulty, either because it is defective or the water pressure is too low. You’ll want to check your water pressure, but if it is right, you may need to replace it.
Your house has insufficient water pressure.

Do You Need Help With These Common Refrigerator Problems?