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 read up. 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 identified as Freon*, and is stated 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, initiated 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 commenced. By the beginning of 2010 the production and import of R22 was reduced. However, servicing current, existing equipment is still permitted as long as there is an available supply of R22. To ensure the public’s compliance with the new law, all sales of R22 must be acquired by a certified technician R22 refrigerant will be available 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 this sounds like a case study on supply and demand, then you are correct. As you can imagine, older air conditioners may have more leaks and need repairs. Any air conditioners that are older than 2010 are more likely to use R22, which means there’s a lot more demand for it, and a very limited supply. Prices have only increased due to scarcity.

Don’t forget that in order to obtain R22, you must be an EPA-certified technician. So, the normal homeowner is unable to purchase a cylinder themselves. In addition, there are some stern regulations now on how refrigerant must be reclaimed and recycled, which increases expenses. This fee is passed on to the homeowner as companies must 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 dramatically increasing because of the diminishing 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 assess your unit we look to see what refrigerant your unit uses, and lots of cases, we’ll advocate for an upgrade due to the increasing cost of sustaining 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 probably have R22. However, if you installed your air conditioner after January 1, 2010, then your system may not have R22. You can check 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 don’t find it, you can read your user’s manual. Otherwise, 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 moved from R22 to R410a, which you may recognize by the brand name Puron. In the remainder this article, we’ll use the name R410a (although Puron is a recognized brand, there are other companies that make R410a). There are some valuable 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 read about “drop-in” replacements for R22. We strongly against against this option. Normally a homeowner who is concerned about the cost of replacing their air conditioner seeks out an alternative, and this appears to be 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 just swap out the refrigerant. The phrase “drop-in” is indicating retrofitting a air conditioner, which when done correctly can cost the homeowner as much, or more, money than purchasing a new unit that uses R410a. In part, this is because different refrigerants work at different pressure levels and demand different parts to run, which means the technician is forced to replace the most expensive components of your system to be compatible with the new refrigerant. If this vital step is missed, your system will quickly stop working, and you’ll need to get a new unit anyway. If you are dead set on exploring retrofitting, then consult with an HVAC company to determine your best replacement refrigerant.  

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

It’s wise to discuss pricing options with your HVAC provider if you’re worried about cost. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer financing that makes a replacement doable, and we watch for any manufacturer and utility rebates that would make it easier to manage an unexpected replacement. To avoid an emergency on a hot day, a lot of of our customers choose to do a pre-emptive replacement, and replace an old unit before it breaks down. 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 challenge may not apply to you, because it’s possible that your system uses the new, approved replacement refrigerant, R410a. However, systems installed after 2010 could potentially use R22, so it’s ideal to check with an HVAC Expert. You can always look for and the refrigerant type by checking 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, especially if it’s older than a decade, you have some options:

1. Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system that uses R410a.
2. Call an expert to replace the parts in your current air conditioner to help make it compatible with an approved air conditioner refrigerant. This is not advised.
3. Remain 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. At some point, your AC will quit running 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 lots of financing options that help with your budget, and again, we look out for rebates from HVAC manufacturers and local utilities to make it easier on you. New AC equipment can be more efficient and give you superior comfort, helping to decrease your energy costs.

You could also pick the status quo and continue using recycled R22 air conditioning refrigerant for the foreseeable future. While this sounds like a good alternative, the expense 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 increase as demand continues to rise on a substance that is no longer produced or widely accessable.

If you aren’t aware of what type of AC refrigerant your air conditioning system uses, we can help. Reach out to 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 switch to an approved AC refrigerant may stressful, it’s helping to save the ozone layer. These regulations will help defend 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 large 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