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REMINDER: R-22 Refrigerant Has Been Totally Phased Out

R-22, the main refrigerant used in air conditioners for many years, poses a significant danger for the environment. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency started a plan to phase out R-22 between 2013 and 2020. Because there were so many units in the field that used this refrigerant, the process slowly reduced the amount of R-22 being produced until it was completely phased out. As of now, R-22 is no longer being produced or imported into the United States.

What does this mean for me?

If your unit still requires R-22, be aware that this refrigerant is becoming incredibly scarce, and therefore quite expensive. And, once the existing supply is used up, your equipment will not be fixable by any means. For this reason, even a minor AC repair means you will have to pay an inflated price for a temporary fix or eventually replace your system with one that does not use R-22.

What are your options for an R-22 unit?

If you still have a unit that uses R-22, you have three main options.

  • Upgrade your unit now – Most likely, you are going to have to upgrade your unit when a breakdown occurs. You can be proactive and make the change now, enjoying the greater energy efficiency of a new system and removing the risk of an R-22 problem in the future.
  • Retrofit your system – Some systems can be retrofitted to accept newer refrigerant. You will need an HVAC professional to check your system to see if this is an option for you.
  • Do nothing and accept future expenses – Technically, you don’t have to do anything right now. You just need to know that a breakdown will either require the installation of a new unit, or a refill of scarce refrigerant that has become wildly expensive and that will inevitably leak again. Because of the phaseout, there is no way to warranty R-22 — if it leaks out of your unit the day after installation, there is nothing that can be done.