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 find out more. R22 refrigerant is a chemical that keeps the air coming from your air conditioning system cool, so it’s certainly incredibly critical. Most air conditioning units older than 10 years use an AC refrigerant called R22 that’s commonly identified as Freon*, and is noted by the EPA as HCFC-22. In this blog, 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 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 launched. By early 2010 the production and import of R22 was reduced. However, servicing current, existing equipment is still acceptable if there is an available supply of R22. To confirm the public’s compliance with the new law, all sales of R22 must be acquired by a certified technician R22 refrigerant will be obtainable to service existing air conditioners after 2020.

Chart depicting the percent of R-22 consumption allowance from 2009 to 2019
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’re thinking that this sounds like a great case study for an economics professor teaching supply and demand, then you are on the right track. As you might assume, older air conditioners more often have 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 restricted supply. Prices have only gone up due to scarcity.

Recall that in order to purchase R22, you’ll need to be an EPA-certified technician. So, the normal homeowner isn’t able to purchase a cylinder themselves. Also, there are some strict regulations now on how refrigerant must 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 connected 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 radically 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, “Wow, this is starting to sound expensive,” you’re spot-on, it is. This is why when our professionals come out to assess your unit we make sure to see what refrigerant your unit uses, and in the majority of the cases, we’ll advise 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 your home has 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 unit may not have R22. You can check the type of refrigerant your system runs on by checking the appliance’s nameplate. This nameplate is usually found on the outdoor condenser of your central air conditioning system. If you can’t locate it, you can read 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 immediately 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 familiar 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 offers a higher safety rating tests than R22.

The truth about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you simply swap out the refrigerant.

You may have heard information about “drop-in” replacements for R22. We strongly advocate against this route. Normally a homeowner who is anxious about the cost of replacing their unit seeks out an alternative, and this feels like an easy solution. It usually costs the homeowner more money, and virtually always voids the manufacturer warranty. The reality about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you just swap out the refrigerant. The phrase “drop-in” is referring to retrofitting a air conditioner, which when done right can cost the homeowner as much, or more, money than buying a new unit that uses R410a. In part, this is because different refrigerants function at different pressure levels and need different parts to run, which forces the technician to replace the most expensive components of your system to work with the new refrigerant. If this crucial step is skipped, your system will quickly stop operating, and you’ll be forced to install a new unit anyway. If you insist on exploring this option, then consult with an HVAC professional to determine your best option.

Your manufacturer will probably not pay for the parts to make this transition because retrofitting your AC system will likely void the warranty. It’s typically 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 wise to discuss pricing offers with your HVAC provider if you’re concerned about cost. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide financing plans that make a replacement doable, and we keep track of any manufacturer and utility rebates that would make it easier to manage a surprising replacement. To avoid emergencies on a hot day, a lot of of our customers choose to do a pre-emptive replacement, and replace an old system before it quits working. 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 problem may not apply to you, because it’s probably that your system uses the new, approved replacement refrigerant, R410a. However, systems installed after 2010 could still use R22, so it’s best to check with an HVAC Expert. You can always find this and the refrigerant type by reviewing the nameplate on your condenser (the condenser is the outside unit).

Lennox air conditioner with refrigerant type on label

What do I do if my air conditioner uses R22?

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

  1. Shop for an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system that uses R410a.
  1. Contact 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 what we recommend.
  1. 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 system. You aren’t required by law to replace your air conditioner. Eventually, your AC will quit running and it will need to be replaced, and only R410a units will be available to purchase.

The ideal option is to get a new, upgraded air conditioner, particularly if your current air conditioner is already more than 10 years old. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning has several 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 present 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 time being. While this sounds like a nice alternative, the price 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 grow as demand continues to rise on a substance that is no longer produced or widely accessible.

If you aren’t confident what type of AC refrigerant your air conditioning system uses, we can help. Reach out to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today and we can provide an inspection to confirm if you are currently using R22 and, if so, which option works best for you.

The good news

While making the move to an approved AC refrigerant may intimidating, it’s helping to save the ozone layer. These regulations will help guard 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 use 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

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