By Sierra Air Conditioning and Plumbing
You have probably heard of R-22 refrigerant before, but do you know what it is or why it is going away? R-22, also known as FreonTM 22 or HCFC-22 Freon, is an HCFC refrigerant used for residential and commercial air conditioning and heat pumps that are currently being phased out.
Since January 1, 2010, the production and import of R-22 were banned in any new air conditioning units. The phase-out will be complete in 2020 and after that R-22 refrigerant will no longer be available as the production and import of any R-22 will be illegal. The only R-22 refrigerant that will be available will be through recycled or reclaimed options.
Why is R-22 refrigerant getting phased out?
R-22 refrigerant was deemed an environmental danger as it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. The U.S. government placed restrictions on the use of R-22 and issued the requirement that it must be eliminated from use in cooling systems by the year 2020. At this point, R-22 is no longer being manufactured and cannot be used as a refrigerant in any new air conditioning systems, however, it is still being used in older equipment.
If your air conditioner still uses R-22, here’s what you need to know:
- You may continue to use R-22 in your existing system. There is currently no EPA requirement on the usage of existing R-22 and it may be used indefinitely.
- R-22 will soon only be available through after-market sales from either those who have purchased it previously or R-22 that has been recovered from older systems and salvaged.
- As the demand for R-22 rises and availability becomes limited, expect the price to increase dramatically. There is also no guarantee of how long the current supply will be available.
- There are substitutes for R-22 that may be available to service and recharge your air conditioner.
If you are interested in an R-22 substitute, schedule an appointment to consult with our trusted Las Vegas AC repair professionals at Sierra Air Conditioning and Plumbing for recommendations for replacement refrigerant options. Or, if your system is already on its way out, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to upgrade your system.