Product alert: R-22 Refrigerant Phase-out and What It Means For You
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, R-22 Freon is due to be phased out completely by the year 2020.
Freon is the chemical cooling agent used in heating and air conditioning to transfer heat from one area to another. R-22 Freon has been used in residential and commercial systems for decades.
Why is it being phased out?
Back in 1987, the Montreal Protocol was signed by several different countries to begin phasing out what are called “ozone depleting substances” — in essence, chemicals that will continue to eat away at our atmosphere here on Earth. The United States is one of 190 countries putting a stop to the manufacturing and distribution of R-22 Freon.
Surprisingly, R-22 Freon has not been manufactured or imported into the U.S. since Jan. 1, 2010. We are running on leftovers! As of Jan. 1, 2015, the manufacture and sale of R-22 Freon air conditioners were banned. Finally, as of Jan. 1, 2020, Freon will be completely phased out, not available for purchase or use by anyone anymore.
What Are My Options?
1. Accept higher costs.
You can keep your existing air conditioner/heat pump equipment and accept the fact that as we get closer to 2020 it will become increasingly difficult to find R-22 refrigerant in the marketplace and it will be priced accordingly from suppliers. Unfortunately, as the supply and availability of R-22 declines, prices will go up. In fact, the prices for R-22 Freon already have increased 300 percent over the past few years. And the price increase will only continue as the industry moves closer to the 2020 date when it will be illegal to use and produce.
2. Upgrade to an EPA-approved refrigerant.
You can keep your existing A/C equipment and use an EPA-permitted refrigerant in place of R-22, but substituting R-22 may require modifications to the system and it cannot be put directly on top of the existing refrigerant. You should be aware that alternative refrigerants can cause a decline in comfort, performance and efficiency. There is also a possibility that damage could occur to your unit from using alternative refrigerants and may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
3. Install a new energy-efficient A/C system.
You can choose to replace your old A/C or heat pump equipment with a new, high-efficiency unit that does not use R-22, but instead uses other refrigerants that are less harmful to the environment and that are permitted by the EPA. Today’s higher efficiency units can be up to 30 percent more efficient than a cooling system made as little as five years ago. The energy savings could be enough that the unit will pay for itself in as little as seven years. A new system also will provide peace of mind, knowing that it is backed up with a full manufacturer’s warranty.
Hopefully this provides some insight into how to handle future air conditioner or heat pump repairs. Having Freon-related repairs completed now is just delaying the inevitable, unfortunately.
If you would like to schedule a free, no obligation estimate on a new A/C or heat pump, contact us at www.SamPollardAndSon.com or call 252-752-3661 or 1-600-421-HEAT.
We are proud to provide heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services to eastern North Carolina since 1948.
Learn more about what the R-22 Phase-out means for homeowners at https://epa.gov/ods-phaseout/homeowners-and-consumers-frequently-asked-questions.
