The Sticker Shock Of Replacing R22

As the R22 refrigerant (Freon) continues to be phased out, the price for R22 just keeps going up and up.  The cost of this refrigerant has increased over 100% since 2015 and the price in 2018 is up another 30%.

As a result the cost of maintenance on air conditioners using R22 has become very expensive.

Which A/C Units Use R22
R22 refrigerant is what is used in most HVAC systems manufactured prior to 2010.  Because of the negative environmental impact of R22, the federal government mandated that the production of R22 for replacement/maintenance purposes be phased out.  This means each year less and less R22 is available, which drives the price up.

If your AC unit was installed after 2010 there’s a good chance it does not use R-22 refrigerant.  For many of you with air conditioners put into service from 2000 to 2010, there is a high probability that they do not use R-22.  For those with older units installed in the 1980’s and 1990’s, your A/C unit probably still uses R-22.

Today’s Options
For those with older A/C units using R-22 you have a couple of options.

Option 1:  If your A/C is over 15 years old, the best approach is to replace it with a newer unit.  Along with eliminating the need to use R-22, newer units offer several other advantages.  They are more energy efficient so your electrical bill will be less; they will cool your home better; and you’ll avoid costly ongoing repair costs.

Replacing R22 refrigerant has become very expensive.

Option 2:  If your air conditioner is less than 15 years old there are alternative refrigerants or “drop-ins” available that replace the R-22 refrigerant with a more environmentally friendly compound.  This can be a cost-effective alternative to replacing your A/C unit.  Keep in mind, however, alternative refrigerants may void the manufacturer’s warranty and are best used for condensers and heat pumps that are out of warranty.

Long Term Reality
Once production stops completely on R22, it will become very expensive to obtain this refrigerant for ongoing maintenance repairs of older air conditioners.  The complete phase out of R22 is anticipated in the next 2 – 4 years.  With the cost of repair using R22 being so high, your best option will be to purchase a new A/C unit and send the old unit to the dump.