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 unquestionably incredibly critical. Most air conditioning units older than 10 years have an AC refrigerant called R22 that’s commonly identified as Freon*, and is provinced by the EPA as HCFC-22. In this guide, we’ll use the name R22. This refrigerant was introduced in the 1950s and became the main 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 cool. So, the U.S. EPA, in cooperation with other agencies and groups around the world, initiated 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 believed to be one of the worst offenders.
Timeline and R22 phase out progress in 2018
In 2003, the phase out of R22 production and imports began. By the start 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 bought by a certified technician R22 refrigerant will be available to service existing air conditioners after 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 likely understand, older air conditioners more often have leaks and need repairs. Any systems 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.
Recall that in order to obtain R22, you have to be an EPA-certified technician. So, the typical homeowner isn’t able to purchase a cylinder themselves. In addition, there are some firm regulations now on how refrigerant is reclaimed and recycled, which raises the price. This fee is passed on to the homeowner as companies must cover the increased overhead associated with R22 repairs. There are requirements for importing, labeling, record keeping, reporting, destruction and reclaiming of R22 from existing units.
So, how does this impact 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, “Man, this is starting to sound expensive,” you’re right, it is. This is why when our experts come out to review your unit we check to see what refrigerant your unit uses, and in many cases, we’ll recommend an upgrade because of the increasing cost of taking care of 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 air conditioner may not have R22. You can see 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 don’t find it, you can read your user’s manual. Otherwise, you can reach out to 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 quickly if your unit uses R22.
Instead of Freon, use Puron
The industry has changed from R22 to R410a, which you may know by the brand name Puron. Throughout this article, we’ll use the name R410a (although Puron is a recognized brand, there are other companies that make R410a). There are some key benefits to switching from an R22 air conditioning unit to one that uses R410a. It provides a higher safety rating tests than R22.
You may have heard information about “drop-in” replacements for R22. We strongly advocate against this choice. Typically a homeowner who is anxious about the cost of replacing their system seeks out an alternative, and this feels like an easy solution. It often costs the homeowner more money, and nearly always voids the manufacturer warranty. The fact about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you simply swap out the refrigerant. The phrase “drop-in” is referring to retrofitting a unit, which when done properly 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 skipped, your system will quickly stop operating, and you’ll need to get a new unit anyway. If you are insistent on exploring drop-ins, then consult with an HVAC company to determine your best alternative.
Your manufacturer will typically 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 buying a new upgraded AC system will probably benefit most homeowners in dependability, satisfaction, and long-term comfort.
It’s smart to discuss pricing offers 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 keep track of any manufacturer and utility rebates that would make it easier to swallow an unexpected replacement. To reduce the chances of an emergency on a hot day, lots of our customers choose to do a pre-emptive replacement, and replace an old system before it doesn’t work. If you’re of a similar mind, 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 dilemma may not apply to you, because it’s possible that your system uses the new, approved replacement refrigerant, R410a. However, units installed after 2010 might use R22, so it’s ideal 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 recap, if your HVAC equipment was produced prior to January 2010, particularly if it’s older than a decade, you have these options:
- Purchase 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 advised.
- 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. At some point, 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, specifically if your current air conditioner is already more than 10 years old. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning has several 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 give you superior comfort, helping to decrease your energy costs.
You could also select the status quo and continue using recycled R22 air conditioning refrigerant for the foreseeable future. While this sounds like a great alternative, the expense of servicing old R22 A/C systems is starting to surpass 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 available.
If you aren’t confident what type of AC refrigerant your air conditioning system uses, we can help. Reach out to Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts today and we can provide an inspection to confirm if you are currently using R22 and, if so, what’s the best next step.
The good news
While making the transition 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 implausible to say that you, as a homeowner, are a grand 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