What Will Happen to R22 and How it Affects You

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010 and you don’t know what R22 is then you should probably learn. R22 refrigerant is a chemical that keeps the air coming from your air conditioning system cool, so it’s undoubtedly incredibly important. Most air conditioning units older than 10 years use an AC refrigerant called R22 that’s commonly identified as Freon*, and is referred to by the EPA as HCFC-22. In this article, we’ll use the name R22. This refrigerant was introduced in the 1950s and became the leading AC refrigerant in the residential heating and cooling industry. 

The Montreal Protocol 

Fast forward a few decades and the world realized that R22 refrigerant was aiding in the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer. Not cool. So, the U.S. EPA, in cooperation with other agencies and groups around the world, began a phase out of many ozone-depleting agents as part of an international agreement known as the Montreal Protocol. The regulation lists many HCFCs and CFCs (different types of refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer), but R22 is considered one of the worst offenders. 

Timeline and R22 phase out progress in 2018 

In 2003, the phase out of R22 production and imports launched. By the beginning of 2010 the production and import of R22 became prohibited. However, servicing current, existing equipment is still allowed as long as there is an available supply of R22. To confirm the public’s compliance with the new law, all sales of R22 must be purchased by a certified technician R22 refrigerant will be obtainable to service existing air conditioners after 2020. 

So how does this affect prices? 

If you are starting to think this is a great topic for an economics professor regarding supply and demand, then you are on the right track. As you likely understand, older air conditioners more often have leaks and need repairs. Any units that are older than 2010 are more likely to use R22, which means there’s a lot more demand for it, and a reduced supply. Prices have only gone up due to scarcity. 

Recall that in order to obtain R22, you’ll need to be an EPA-certified technician. So, the average homeowner is unable to purchase a cylinder themselves. In addition, there are some firm regulations now on how refrigerant should be reclaimed and recycled, which adds to the cost. This cost is passed on to the homeowner as companies are forced to cover the increased overhead related to R22 repairs. There are requirements for importing, labeling, record keeping, reporting, destruction and reclaiming of R22 from existing systems. 

So, how does this impact you? 

The cost of R22 is dramatically increasing because of the dwindling supply, and new refrigerant will no longer be available for use at all after 2020, excluding recycled quantities. 

If you’re thinking, “Holy cow, this is starting to sound expensive,” you’re correct, it is. This is why when our technicians come out to review your unit we check to see what refrigerant your unit uses, and lots of cases, we’ll advocate for an upgrade due to the increasing cost of taking care of an R22 air conditioner. 

How do I know if my unit uses R22? 

If you have an air conditioning system that was built before 2010, your AC will typically have R22. However, if you installed your air conditioner after January 1, 2010, then your system may not have R22. You can see the type of refrigerant your system runs on by checking the appliance’s nameplate. This nameplate is normally found on the outdoor condenser of your central air conditioning system. If you can’t find it, you can check your user’s manual. Alternatively, you can contact your local Service Experts center. If you have a maintenance agreement with us, we also have your information on hand and a tech can let you know quickly if your unit uses R22. 

Instead of Freon, use Puron 

The industry has made the switch from R22 to R410a, which you may know by the brand name Puron. For the rest of this article, we’ll use the name R410a (although Puron is a well-known brand, there are other companies that make R410a). There are some serious benefits to switching from an R22 air conditioning unit to one that uses R410a. It has a higher safety rating tests than R22. 

You may have heard of “drop-in” replacements for R22. We strongly advocate against this choice. Usually a homeowner who is concerned about the cost of replacing their unit seeks out an alternative, and this feels like an easy solution. It often costs the homeowner more money, and virtually always voids the manufacturer warranty. The truth about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you simply swap out the refrigerant. The phrase “drop-in” is indicating retrofitting a unit, which when done properly can cost the homeowner as much, or more, money than installing a new unit that uses R410a. In part, this is because different refrigerants work at different pressure levels and need different parts to run, which results in the technician needing to replace the most expensive components of your system to be compatible with the new refrigerant. If this vital step is skipped, your system will quickly stop working, and you’ll be forced to install a new unit anyway. If you are insistent on exploring retrofitting, then consult with an HVAC professional to determine your best option.   

Your manufacturer will probably not pay for the parts to make this switch because retrofitting your AC system will likely void the warranty. It’s normally just a temporary fix, but shopping for a new upgraded AC system will probably benefit most homeowners in dependability, satisfaction, and long-term comfort. 

It’s better to discuss pricing options with your HVAC provider if you’re worried about cost. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we have financing available that makes a replacement doable, and we monitor for any manufacturer and utility rebates that would make it easier to handle an unexpected replacement. To avoid an emergency on a hot day, lots of our customers decide to do a pre-emptive replacement, and replace an old AC before it doesn’t work. If you’re considering that route as well, then you’re in good company! 

If your unit was built after 2010, you’re probably safe 

If your heating and air conditioning system was built after January 2010, the R22 phase out dilemma may not apply to you, because it’s likely that your system uses the new, approved replacement refrigerant, R410a. However, units installed after 2010 could still use R22, so it’s ideal to check with an HVAC Expert. You can always check for this and the refrigerant type by reviewing the nameplate on your condenser (the condenser is the outside unit). 

What do I do if my air conditioner uses R22? 

To recap, if your HVAC equipment was produced prior to January 2010, particularly if it’s older than a decade, you have a few options: 

1. Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system that uses R410a. 

2. Call an expert to replace the parts in your current unit to help make it compatible with an approved air conditioner refrigerant. This is not recommended. 

3. Keep using recycled R22 and burn money like it’s the ozone layer. 

To be clear, the EPA regulates the production and use of this refrigerant, but not your AC. You aren’t required by law to replace your air conditioner. Ultimately, your AC will stop working and it will need to be replaced, and only R410a units will be available to buy. 

The most straightforward option is to purchase a new, upgraded air conditioner, particularly if your current air conditioner is already more than 10 years old. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning has many financing options that help make the purchase affordable, and again, we look out for rebates from HVAC manufacturers and local utilities to make it easier on you. New AC equipment will also be more efficient and give you superior comfort, helping to lower your energy costs. 

You could also choose the status quo and continue using recycled R22 air conditioning refrigerant for the near future. While this sounds like a great alternative, the cost of servicing old R22 A/C systems is starting to exceed several hundred dollars (easily a down payment on a new system). You may also see the prices climb as demand continues to rise on a substance that is no longer produced or widely obtainable. 

If you aren’t sure what type of AC refrigerant your air conditioning system uses, we can help. Call Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air today and we can provide an inspection to confirm if you are currently using R22 and, if so, what’s the best next step. 

The good news 

While making the switch to an approved AC refrigerant may stressful, it’s helping to save the ozone layer. These regulations will help protect the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, which helps block radiation from the sun and prevents serious illnesses, such as skin cancer. It’s not exaggerated to say that you, as a homeowner, are a big part of this by replacing an old R22 unit with a newer, ozone friendly unit. 

If you have any questions, please contact us for a free, in-home consultation by filling out the form below. 

*Freon is a registered trademark of the DuPont Corporation 

Sources: 
1.https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/12/24/2013-29817/protection-of-stratospheric-ozone-adjustments-to-the-allowance-system-for-controlling-hcfc