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 undoubtedly incredibly critical. Most air conditioning units older than 10 years have 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 leading AC refrigerant in the residential heating and cooling industry.
The Montreal Protocol
Several decades later 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, 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 recognized as 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 became prohibited. However, servicing current, existing equipment is still permitted while there is an available supply of R22. To confirm the public’s compliance with the new law, all sales of R22 must be bought by a certified technician R22 refrigerant will be obtainable 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’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 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 restricted supply. Prices have only increased due to scarcity.
Don’t forget that in order to obtain R22, you’ll need to be an EPA-certified technician. So, the average homeowner isn’t able to purchase a cylinder themselves. Plus, there are some stern regulations now on how refrigerant is reclaimed and recycled, which adds to the cost. This expense 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 will this affect you?
The cost of R22 is considerably increasing because of the diminishing supply, and new refrigerant will no longer be available for use at all after 2020, except from recycled quantities.
If you’re thinking, “Wow, this is starting to sound expensive,” you’re correct, it is. This is why when our professionals come out to review your unit we look 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 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 unit 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 locate it, you can grab 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 changed from R22 to R410a, which you may recognize by the brand name Puron. Throughout this article, we’ll use the name R410a (although Puron is a familiar 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.
The truth about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you simply swap out the refrigerant.
You may have read about “drop-in” replacements for R22. We strongly against against this route. Usually a homeowner who is anxious about the cost of replacing their unit seeks out an alternative, and this appears to be an easy solution. It typically costs the homeowner more money, and virtually always voids the manufacturer warranty. The fact 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 unit, which when done right can cost the homeowner as much, or more, money than purchasing 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 results in the technician needing to replace the most expensive components of your system to be compatible with the new refrigerant. If this critical step is avoided, your system will quickly stop running, and you’ll be forced to install a new unit anyway. If you are insistent on exploring retrofitting, then consult with an HVAC company to determine your best alternative.
Your manufacturer will typically 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 smart to discuss pricing options with your HVAC provider if you’re concerned about cost. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we have financing available that makes a replacement affordable, and we watch for any manufacturer and utility rebates that would make it easier to manage a surprising replacement. To reduce the chances of 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 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 likely that your system uses the new, approved replacement refrigerant, R410a. However, units installed after 2010 could potentially use R22, so it’s best to check with an HVAC Expert. You can always look for and the refrigerant type by reading the nameplate on your condenser (the condenser is the outside unit).
What do I do if my air conditioner uses R22?
To review, if your HVAC equipment was produced prior to January 2010, specifically if it’s older than a decade, you have these options:
- Buy an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system that uses R410a.
- 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.
- Stick with using recycled R22 and burn through costs like it’s the ozone layer.
To be clear, the EPA regulates the production and use of this refrigerant, but not your unit. You are not required by the law to replace your air conditioner. Eventually, your AC will stop working and it will need to be replaced, and only R410a units will be available to purchase.
The best option is to purchase a new, upgraded air conditioner, specifically if your current air conditioner is already more than 10 years old. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning has lots of financing options that help to meet your budget, and again, we look out for rebates from HVAC manufacturers and local utilities to make it even easier. New AC equipment will also be more efficient and offer you superior comfort, helping to reduce your energy costs.
You could also pick the status quo and continue using recycled R22 air conditioning refrigerant for the near 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 grow as demand continues to rise on a substance that is no longer produced or widely available.
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 confirm 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 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 far-fetched 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