Florida homeowners with older air conditioning systems may soon be facing a difficult choice: replace their entire air conditioning system or continue to pursue increasingly costly and hard-to-find R22 refrigerant when it’s time for AC service. For many, the smarter option is upgrading to newer technology, such as ductless mini split systems for additions. Standards for types of refrigerants used in air conditioning repair and maintenance are changing, and this means that this most common and least expensive refrigerant will soon be phased out. When the phase-out is complete in 2020, R22 refrigerant will no longer be available.
Why replacing your old AC may be better than maintaining R‑22 refrigerant?
- R‑22 refrigerant is being phased out due to environmental rules; no new R22 can be produced.
- As R‑22 becomes scarce, its price rises and availability becomes limited, making maintenance increasingly expensive.
- Old units using R‑22 often are less efficient than modern units that use newer refrigerants like R‑410A.
- Replacing the entire AC system with one designed for compliant refrigerants is often more cost‑effective in the long run than repeated R‑22 recharges and repairs.
R22 refrigerant, sometimes known as R22 Freon or HCFC-22 Freon, is an environmental danger because it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. The U.S. government has placed restrictions on R22 and has issued the requirement that R22 refrigerant must be eliminated from use in cooling systems by the year 2020, making regular maintenance tasks like changing your air filters even more important for system efficiency. At this point, R22 will no longer be manufactured and cannot be used as a refrigerant in new air conditioning systems. R22 is being replaced by R-410A, a safer material which is the current, compliant standard refrigerant in air conditioning equipment.
The refrigerant change means several things for homeowners with older ACs:
- You can continue to use R22 refrigerant in existing systems, but it will only be available through after-market sales, such as when it is recovered from older systems that have been salvaged.
- Prices of R22 refrigerant have been rising and are expected to continue to rise. By the time the phase-out is complete, R22 will most likely be very expensive. Even if you need a recharge of R22 in the future, there can be no guarantee that the refrigerant will be available, especially as summertime temperatures continue rising.
- Availability of R22 will be limited since it cannot be purchased new. Even if you need a recharge of R22 in the future, there can be no guarantee that the refrigerant will be available.
- Complete air conditioning system replacement to an R422 model may be the most cost-effective solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is R‑22 refrigerant and why is it being phased out?
Answer: R‑22 (also known as Freon or HCFC‑22) is a refrigerant commonly used in older air conditioning systems. It is being phased out because it depletes the ozone layer and contributes to environmental harm. Regulations require its production to stop and its use to be restricted.
Question: Is it still legal to use R‑22 in existing air conditioning units?
Answer: Yes. Existing AC units that use R‑22 can still operate and be serviced, but R‑22 is no longer manufactured or imported. Only recovered or recycled R‑22 is available, which tends to be more expensive and less easily sourced.
Question: What are the cost implications of continuing with an R‑22 AC system?
Answer: Costs tend to rise because R‑22 supply is limited. Repairing leaks, recharging refrigerant, or maintaining such systems becomes more costly. Over time, these rising service costs can make keeping an old system less economical than replacing it.
Question: Can I retrofit my old R‑22 air conditioner to use a newer refrigerant?
Answer: In some cases it may be possible to retrofit, but there are limitations. Differences in system design, oil types, and compatibility can make retrofits costly, less efficient, or technically impractical. It’s not always guaranteed or cost‑effective.
Question: When is it more sensible to replace an R‑22 AC unit rather than keep repairing it?
Answer: It’s generally more sensible to replace when the unit is older (often over 10‑15 years), requires frequent repairs, has major component failures, or if the costs of maintaining R‑22 and its parts outweigh the benefits. Also when energy efficiency and environmental compliance are priorities.
Conditioned Air has the mission of keeping the residents of Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Naples, Bradenton, and the surrounding Florida communities cool and their air conditioners working properly and reliably.
Contact us today for more information on the types of refrigerants used in air conditioning system maintenance and what the new refrigerant changes will mean for your cooling system.