Since January 1, 2020, the R22 refrigerant (aka freon) may not be imported or manufactured in the United States anymore.
This leaves millions of homeowners with an air conditioning unit built to work with freon with a big question: what do we do now?
The issue is critical, but it is not as immediately critical as we hear on the market. Many homeowners have been told that R22 is now illegal, and they have to change their HVAC not to be at odds with the law. That is false. R22 refrigerant is illegal to import and manufacturer in the U.S. But it’s not illegal for anyone to buy R22 freon. And it’s not illegal to sell it IF you have a license.
As long as the stocks last, you will be able to continue purchasing R22 from specialized dealers and form your air conditioning company. Once the stocks are gone, you will have several options.
We have prepared the following FAQ from our experience and EPA recommendations. We hope this is useful to you.
Yes, HCFC-22 (also called R-22) can be used to service existing equipment. Servicing includes replacing failed components.
R22 (also called HCFC-22) is being phased out worldwide because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had set January 1, 2020 as the date when manufacturing and importing R22 becomes illegal in the United States. Only recycled, recovered, or reclaimed supplies of R-22 refrigerant (HCFC-22) are now available to service existing air conditioners.
Source: epa.gov
No. You will not have to stop using HCFC-22, and you will not have to replace existing equipment just to switch to a new refrigerant. The switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants is occurring gradually to allow consumers time to replace air conditioners on a normal schedule.
However, supplies of HCFC-22 will be more limited and more expensive in the years ahead as the refrigerant is phased out of production. Starting in 2020, new HCFC-22 can no longer be produced, so consumers will need to rely on reclaimed and previously-produced quantities to service any home air-conditioning systems still operating after that date.
source: epa.gov
EPA expects that reclaimed and previously-produced HCFC-22 will be available well after 2020 to service and maintain equipment, but the price and availability may change. EPA anticipates that supplies should allow for a smooth transition to alternative refrigerants.
Beginning January 1, 2018 EPA technician certification (EPA Section 608 certification) is required to purchase HFCs for use in stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. While HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances, they are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Source: epa.gov
At HVAC supply stores, HVAC service companies (like D&H AC), and online.
Yes, only specific HFC refrigerants are acceptable substitutes for different end uses. EPA’s SNAP program maintains a list of acceptable refrigerant substitutes. It is also illegal to knowingly vent or release these refrigerants— just as it is for ozone-depleting refrigerants like HCFC-22.
Source: epa.gov
The refrigerant used in your home air conditioner is typically listed on the unit’s nameplate. For central air conditioners, the nameplate is usually on the outdoor condenser. If there is no nameplate, check your owner’s manual or contact D&H AC at [phone]. If you know the manufacturer and model number, you can also call the manufacturer or check their website.
The most important step you can take is to maintain your unit properly. Major leaks rarely develop in properly installed and regularly maintained units. If your air conditioner leaks, ask D&H AC to locate and repair the leak instead of “topping off” your air conditioning system. Repairing leaks will keep your system operating at its best, while reducing refrigerant emissions and energy use. You can also save money by avoiding additional repairs in the future.
EPA has published a list of acceptable replacements to R22 refrigerant (HCFC-22) for residential air conditioning and heat pump units. This list includes alternative (older) technologies. Here is a version of this list:
The list published by EPA changes over time.
source: epa.gov
Yes, beginning January 1, 2018, EPA technician certification has been required in order to service stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems containing HFCs.
source: epa.gov
Work with reputable HVAC contractors that employ service technicians who are EPA-certified to handle refrigerants used in air conditioners. This certification is referred to as “Section 608 certification,” which refers to a portion of the Clean Air Act. When speaking with any air-conditioning service company, ask if their technicians are Section 608-certified. You can also ask a service technician to show you his/her certification card.
If your air conditioner contains alternative refrigerants, the service technician should be trained in their use.
Yes, certified technicians have a few options when using recovered refrigerants:
source: epa.gov
Recovered HCFC refrigerants should be sent to an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer. Only EPA-certified reclaimers may reclaim and sell used refrigerants to a new owner.
Technicians and contractors may also send HCFC refrigerants to be destroyed by facilities that accept these substances.
source: epa.gov
D&H AC takes care of this problem for you. If you are not in Southern Arizona (the region we service) but are located in Phoenix, Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, Show Low, WInslow, etc, you can call us to see if we can refer you to a reliable HVAC contractor in your area. If we know someone reliable in your area, we will definitely give you their name and phone number.
Many governments and private organizations also will arrange for curbside pickup of appliances. Do not tamper with an appliance before it is disposed of, such as by cutting refrigerant lines or remove compressors. EPA requires the safe disposal of ozone-depleting refrigerants in appliances so they do not harm the environment.
In most cases, you can’t. You need a certified technician to do this for you. Even if you have a window unit, it is better to let a professional do the job to make sure you don’t release freon in the atmosphere and stay within the boundaries of the law.
Also, if the level of refrigerant in your A/C unit is low, it may very well be that you have a leak somewhere in the system. Topping your system off will be a band-aid. It is much better and much more responsible to call a certified HVAC contractor to repair the unit.
An air conditioning system is a sealed system: there is no way for the Freon to escape unless there is a leak in the system. R22 or HFCs or Freon do not get used up as long as there are no leaks.
Some alternative refrigerants are blended, which means they contain two or more types of refrigerant. R-421A is one such blend, and it combines R-125 and R-134A.
According to EPA
Benefits of R-421A include:
Homeowners with air conditioners manufactured before 2013 should note that retrofitting their system to accept R-421A does require some labor.
source: epa.gov
R-427A (also known as Forane® 427A) is another environmentally safe alternative to R-22 that doesn’t have a negative impact on the Earth’s atmosphere. Depending on where your HVAC service technician gets their supplies, this could be the refrigerant that the supply house carries.
Similar to other alternative refrigerants, the benefits of R-427A include:
Homeowners with air conditioners manufactured before 2013 should note that retrofitting their system to accept R-427A does require some labor.
source: epa.gov
MO99, or Freon® MO99, is an effective replacement for R-22. It matches R-22 in terms of efficiency and the amount of refrigerant needed in most air conditioners. It’s also compatible with the most commonly used types of oil (oil is used in your air conditioner’s compressor unit).
Benefits of MO99 include:
Homeowners with air conditioners manufactured before 2013 should note that retrofitting their system to accept MO99 does require some labor.
source: epa.gov
As of January 1, 2010, EPA has prohibited the manufacture and installation of new HCFC-22 appliances. So, you can no longer purchase a central air-conditioning unit that uses HCFC-22. However, you can continue to service an existing HCFC-22 system. You can also purchase a “self-contained” system (typically, a window unit) if it is second-hand and/or was manufactured prior to 2010. Keep in mind that supplies of HCFC-22 are expected to become more limited in the years ahead as this refrigerant is phased out of production.
source: epa.gov
Since January 2020, an R22 air conditioning unit can only be repaired if R22 refrigerant is available on the market. Stocks of R22 will inevitably deplete but probably not tomorrow.
The real issue is not whether you should replace your old air conditioner because of the unavailability of R22. What homeowners usually don’t know is that the efficiency (measured in SEER) of their A/C unit decreases year after year, even when well maintained. This means that each time you use your A/C, it costs you more and more electricity to obtain the same level of cooling or heating.
The questions are then: “How much money will I save by replacing my old AC unit?” and “Will our home feel more comfortable in winter and summer if we replace this old A/C?”
The technicians at D&H AC can help you think around these issues. They are trained to make calculations of what your home really needs to be efficiently heated and cooled. They are trained in many different brands of air conditioners. They have the right certifications to assess the situation of an existing installation, and give you recommendations that make sense based on numbers, circumstances, and lifestyle. We will send you a technician qualified to perform all these tasks in your home, no charge. Call D&H AC at [phone] and ask to speak to our certified technician schedulers in regards to replacing an existing air conditioning unit.