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Washington's war on air conditioning heats up
Fox News.com ^ | May 20, 2022 | Ben Lieberman

Posted on 05/20/2022 8:26:20 AM PDT by Kaslin

It’s the scariest moment of the year for many homeowners – that first really hot day, usually in May, when we turn on our air conditioners for the first time since the previous summer and cross our fingers that it still works.

If not, it will need to be repaired or possibly replaced, and the 2022 air conditioning season is shaping up to be a very expensive one thanks to environmental regulations. Meanwhile, the Senate is busy considering a United Nations climate treaty called the Kigali Amendment that would make things worse.

The news is bad whether your air conditioner is old or new. Most pre-2010 units were designed to use a refrigerant called R-22 that isn’t made anymore – the Environmental Protection Agency banned further production in 2020 over its contribution to depleting the earth’s ozone layer. Those needing to replace R-22 lost from a leak will have to pay hundreds more for this common repair.

More than half the systems are newer ones using a refrigerant called R-410A. Though initially hailed as an ozone-friendly improvement over R-22 (it was even trademarked "Puron"), R-410A subsequently came under attack as a contributor to climate change. In December 2020, Congress slipped production caps on it and similar refrigerants into a big must-pass spending package. EPA launched its rationing program on January 1st of this year, and the wholesale price of R-410A has already jumped 4-fold over pre-regulation levels to around $20 per pound and at least twice that retail. Systems typically need eight to 15 pounds.

Thus, 2022 will be the first summer where virtually every one of the nation’s 100 million residential central air conditioners relies on a refrigerant in short supply, thanks to federal environmental measures.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: airconditioning; bideneffect
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1 posted on 05/20/2022 8:26:20 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

I’m in Upstate NY and used a fan for my 900 SF apt. Never turned the air conditioner on. Scr**** the utility company bigtime!! So fun....And it was a little $15 turbo fan.


2 posted on 05/20/2022 8:29:09 AM PDT by Sacajaweau ( )
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To: Kaslin
2022 will be the first summer where virtually every one of the nation’s 100 million residential central air conditioners relies on a refrigerant in short supply, thanks to federal environmental measures.

So a hot summer, and then with the upcoming home heating crisis this Fall/Winter it will be a cold Winter. Ain't Brandon grand.

3 posted on 05/20/2022 8:29:52 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: 1Old Pro

Biden - Make America Grovel Again


4 posted on 05/20/2022 8:31:24 AM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: Kaslin

The demon rats want us to be good little sweaty peasants.


5 posted on 05/20/2022 8:31:58 AM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you. )
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To: Kaslin

I’m totally happy with my variable speed heat pump. In truth it’s an A/C unit under the hood and, therefore, has the same dependency on freon the article author describes.


6 posted on 05/20/2022 8:32:23 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: Kaslin

We need to ban all AC in Washington, DC. Let them live in the true swamp of old, complete with malaria.


7 posted on 05/20/2022 8:33:23 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (Wanting to make America great isn’t an insult unless you’re trying to make it worse! ULTRAMAGA!!)
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To: 1Old Pro
“So a hot summer, and then with the upcoming home heating crisis this Fall/Winter it will be a cold Winter. Ain't Brandon grand.”

Somehow, 39% think so, if we are to believe the polling.

8 posted on 05/20/2022 8:34:05 AM PDT by daler
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To: Vaquero

During the European heatwave in the early Oughts, 2003 IIRC, tens of thousands died.

Mostly seniors.

Boy, do Deep States hate geezers.


9 posted on 05/20/2022 8:34:30 AM PDT by mewzilla (We need to repeal RCV wherever it's in use and go back to dumb voting machines.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

I can see that those in the blue cities are going to suffer far more than those in red suburbs/country. Especially when the food shortages start.

If they start burning down blue city politician’s homes and cars, I might make a sad face for them.


10 posted on 05/20/2022 8:35:28 AM PDT by struggle
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To: Kaslin

25lb cylinder for $139 + $10 shipping. https://www.ebay.com/p/6046780654?iid=195042976397


11 posted on 05/20/2022 8:36:30 AM PDT by Pollard (Don't ask if there's a conspiracy. If you're not in one, you need to start one. CA Fitts)
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To: Kaslin

Another needless crisis that will effect all Americans.

Nothing but silence from the GOP.


12 posted on 05/20/2022 8:36:56 AM PDT by Starboard
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To: Kaslin

Interesting since I just turned the AC on today. I will turn it off again when the cooler temps arrive on Sunday.


13 posted on 05/20/2022 8:37:21 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I wish “smart resume” would work for the real world so I could FF through the Burden admin BS.)
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To: Sacajaweau

I was once in Ponce, Puerto Rico during the Summer solstice and I don’t think I could have survived the intense heat without air conditioning. Whenever I had to go out, I would scurry like a bug down the street from one shady spot to another. Although, I suppose if it doesn’t kill you, you will get used to it, just like the cold.


14 posted on 05/20/2022 8:38:08 AM PDT by PUGACHEV
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To: Kaslin

In the CA desert, in its drought conditions and potential water usage limitations, the regulators have suggested AC should replace evaporative coolers.


15 posted on 05/20/2022 8:38:22 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob (My /s is more true than your /science (or you might mean /seance)gg g)
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To: Kaslin

We will all get free fans, just like we got free digital tv receivers...................

govt cares and they will do something............


16 posted on 05/20/2022 8:38:54 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: Kaslin

Plague, famine, and now no air conditioners. The Green New Deal forced march back to the 13th Century continues apace.


17 posted on 05/20/2022 8:38:59 AM PDT by Orosius
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To: Kaslin
"the Environmental Protection Agency banned further production in 2020 over its contribution to depleting the earth's ozone layer."

The hole in the ozone layer over the poles is variable and seasonal. It's size has basically no connection to any refrigerants currently in use.

https://www.heritage.org/environment/commentary/ozone-the-hole-truth

18 posted on 05/20/2022 8:39:25 AM PDT by fireman15 (Irritating people are the grit from which we fashion our pearl. I provide the grit. You're Welcome.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

It was reported that was why Washington was built where it is now for that very reason so Congress would be forced to go home and only be in town as long as they were forced to be there.


19 posted on 05/20/2022 8:39:34 AM PDT by dpetty121263
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To: Kaslin
Regardless of what happens in the next few years I can assure you that R-410A’s time with us is limited. We have the EPA and the governments of the world all fighting against it due to it’s high Global Warming Potential. If I had to wager a guess I would say that by the year 2025 the phase out will begin and we will be looking at a newer HFO refrigerant that has not been invented yet. Time will tell though.

https://refrigeranthq.com/r-410a-refrigerant-fact-info-sheet/

20 posted on 05/20/2022 8:42:47 AM PDT by Pollard (Don't ask if there's a conspiracy. If you're not in one, you need to start one. CA Fitts)
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