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 unquestionably incredibly important. Most air conditioning units older than 10 years use an AC refrigerant called R22 that’s commonly known 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 predominant 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 a great thing. So, the U.S. EPA, in cooperation with other agencies and groups around the world, began a phase out of several 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 commenced. By the start 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 guarantee the public’s compliance with the new law, all sales of R22 must be acquired by a certified technician R22 refrigerant will be accessible to service existing air conditioners after 2020.

The graph above shows the EPA’s consumption allowance of R22 by percentage. The limits on R22 consumption were implemented in 2010 and follow a declining trend until 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 correct. As you might assume, 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 increased due to scarcity.

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

So, how will this affect you?

The cost of R22 is considerably 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 experts come out to review your unit we check to see what refrigerant your unit uses, and lots of cases, we’ll recommend an upgrade as a result of the increasing cost of sustaining an R22 air conditioner.

How do I know if my unit uses R22?

If you own an air conditioning system that was built before 2010, your AC will probably have R22. However, if you installed your air conditioner after January 1, 2010, then your system may not have R22. You can find the type of refrigerant your system runs on by looking at the appliance’s nameplate. This nameplate is typically found on the outdoor condenser of your central air conditioning system. If you can't find it, you can grab your user’s manual. If that doesn’t work either, you can call 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 right away if your unit uses R22.

Instead of Freon, use Puron

The industry has made the switch from R22 to R410a, which you may recognize 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 provides a higher safety rating tests than R22.

You may have heard of “drop-in” replacements for R22. We strongly advocate against this option. Usually a homeowner who is anxious 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 almost always voids the manufacturer warranty. The reality about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you simply swap out the refrigerant. The phrase “drop-in” is referring to retrofitting a system, which when done properly can cost the homeowner as much, or more, money than purchasing a new unit that uses R410a. In part, this is because different refrigerants operate 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 work with the new refrigerant. If this vital step is skipped, your system will quickly stop operating, and you’ll end up installing a new unit anyway. If you are insistent on exploring this option, then consult with an HVAC professional to determine your best alternative.  

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 usually just a temporary fix, but buying a new upgraded AC system will probably benefit most homeowners in dependability, satisfaction, and long-term comfort.

It’s smart to discuss pricing offers with your HVAC provider if you’re concerned about cost. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we have financing available that makes a replacement achieveable, and we monitor for any manufacturer and utility rebates that would make it easier to swallow an unforeseen replacement. To avoid an emergency on a hot day, many of our customers elect to do a pre-emptive replacement, and replace an old unit before it doesn’t work. If you’re thinking the same thing, 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 challenge may not apply to you, because it’s probably that your system uses the new, approved replacement refrigerant, R410a. However, units installed after 2010 might use R22, so it’s best to check with an HVAC Expert. You can always look for 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 summarize, if your HVAC equipment was produced prior to January 2010, especially if it’s older than a decade, you have some options:

1. Shop for 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. Remain using recycled R22 and burn cash like it’s the ozone layer.

To be clear, the EPA regulates the production and use of this refrigerant, but not your system. The law doesn’t require you to replace your air conditioner. At some point, your AC will not work and it will need to be replaced, and only R410a units will be available for sale.

The best option is to buy a new, upgraded air conditioner, specifically 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 is more efficient and give you superior comfort, helping to reduce your energy costs.

You could also select the status quo and continue using recycled R22 air conditioning refrigerant for the time being. While this sounds like a nice alternative, the price of servicing old R22 A/C systems is starting to surpass 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, our team is here. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today and we can provide an inspection to find out if you are currently using R22 and, if so, which option works best for you.

The good news

While making the transition to an approved AC refrigerant may intimidating, 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 grand part of this by replacing an old R22 unit with a newer, ozone friendly unit.

If you have any questions, please reach 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