What is R22 and How Does It Affect You?

Beginning in 2010, the EPA began implementing the Montreal Protocol in stages, beginning with a ban on manufacturing new equipment that used R22. Instead, A/C manufacturers were instructed to use one of several chemical alternatives that can be used as refrigerants without the risk of harming the ozone layer. In accordance with this ban, most units that were manufactured after 2010 won’t have R22 in them. However, any unit manufactured before 2013 should be checked to confirm that R22 is not present in the system.

When the Montreal Protocol established the “Freon Ban,” it acknowledged that homeowners with then-newer A/C units wouldn’t be able to just run out and immediately buy a new unit. So, it allowed for the continued use and maintenance of air conditioning units that already contained R22, including ways to obtain R22 for A/C unit maintenance and repair. During that time, it began to implement restrictions on how R22 was handled and required it to be treated as hazardous waste. They also began to require repair technicians to become EPA-certified to work on units containing R22.

Now, it’s time for the next phase of the Montreal Protocol’s ban on R22 to be rolled out.

Starting on January 1, 2020, companies can no longer produce or import R22 into the United States. Repair companies will only be permitted to use recycled or repurposed R22 to provide maintenance on older units. In other words, if your unit begins to leak, there’s not going to be an easy — or cheap — way to replace what it’s lost.

How Does the R22 Ban Affect You?

So how does a decades-old EPA agreement impact you?

If your A/C unit is more than 10 years old, chances are that it’s using R22. Because the ban prohibits the production of R22 replacement for these units, this latest step in the R22 phaseout means it’s going to become much more difficult — and expensive — to have repairs done on older units.

Why?

Once the ban takes effect, the only R22 that will be available to use will be recycled R22. A/C repair companies have limited options for where to buy R22 because there won’t be a way to get new supplies of R22, which means that it will be more difficult to obtain. Because of the limited supply, prices will naturally go up.

But there’s more to the problem.

Since this ban primarily impacts A/C units that are more than 10 years old, it naturally has the biggest impact on the homeowners who are more likely to need repairs. At the time when your unit is most likely to need repairs and possibly experience refrigerant leaks, you’re going to have the hardest time getting affordable parts and service.

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How Do I Know if My AC Unit Uses R22?

If your A/C was installed before 2010, then there’s a good chance it’s running on R22. But, even if your unit is newer, this isn’t something to just assume one way or the other. To confirm what refrigerant your unit is running on, you can:

1. Check the Owner’s Manual

If you have it, consult the owner’s manual that came with your unit when it was installed. The industry often labels R22 as HCFC-22, so be on the lookout for that notation in the manual.

2. Consult the Appliance Nameplate

Head outside and look at your A/C system’s outdoor condenser. There should be a nameplate somewhere on the case that lists all the specs associated with your unit, including the refrigerant it contains.

3. Call a Professional

If you still aren’t sure whether or not the R22 ban impacts your unit, call Home Climates. Our experienced EPA-certified technicians can come out and inspect your unit to confirm whether or not it contains R22. And, if we’ve serviced your unit before, the refrigerant it uses may already be noted in our files.

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R22 FAQs

This information can be a lot to process, especially if you weren’t aware of the changes that are coming. We find that our customers often have some of the same concerns and questions about how the ban on R22 will impact them. Some of the most common questions are:

1. Is R22 Illegal?

No, it’s not illegal to own an A/C unit that uses R22. However, it is illegal to import or manufacture R22, which means that the only supplies available will come from recycled R22. This limited supply will naturally limit the availability and increase the cost significantly.

2. Should I Buy a Home With an A/C Unit That Contains R22?

There’s a lot to love about older homes. Their charm is unparalleled, and a lot of people like the feeling of purchasing a piece of history. But there is a downside to purchasing an older home, especially if that home comes with an A/C unit that was manufactured before 2010.

Although it’s not illegal to own one of these systems, you may find yourself stuck with some hefty repair bills if that unit breaks once you own the home.

If you’re considering making an offer on an older home, inquire about the A/C unit. Then, if it does contain R22, decide how that will impact your decision. In some cases, potential homeowners use this information to negotiate down on the price. In other cases, they may simply plan to replace the unit once they assume ownership. But, if you’re in the market for a house you don’t have to put much money into, then a home with an R22 unit may not be the right choice for you.

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3. Is My Existing Unit Hurting the Environment?

There’s no easy answer to this question. R22 is a greenhouse gas. Any time R22 escapes into the atmosphere, it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. However, in an A/C unit that’s in good working order, R22 is contained inside of the unit, and there is nowhere for it to go. For R22 to escape into the atmosphere, it has to be released from your A/C unit. This happens when a leak occurs.

The best way to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere is to prevent leaks. This can be accomplished by keeping your older system in good working order. Arrange for regular preventative maintenance with an experienced, trustworthy technician who can identify small problems before they become big ones. If you have your unit serviced regularly, an experienced technician should be able to identify and repair small leaks quickly, and there won’t be time for much R22 to escape.

4. How Do I Find an EPA-Certified Technician?

To become EPA-certified, technicians who maintain, repair and replace A/C units must pass an EPA-approved test and receive what’s called Section 608 Certification. Once they pass this test, they are certified to work on any equipment that could potentially release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. When you call a company to inquire about repairs or maintenance, you can ask if they have any Section 608 Certified employees. These technicians should also be able to show you their credentials upon request.

What Are My Options if My Current AC Unit Uses R22?

The average lifespan of an air conditioning unit is 15 to 20 years. This means that any unit built before 2010 is already nearing its twilight years. Even if your unit is older, if it’s still humming along, it’s tempting to shelve the problem and leave it for another year.

But should you wait?

The truth is that even A/C units that were built 10 years ago may be costing you 20-40 percent more in energy costs than their newer, more energy-efficient counterparts. Add those additional energy costs with the increased cost of R22, and it just may not be worth putting off a replacement.

So what options are available to homeowners with an A/C unit that still uses R22?

1. Cross Your Fingers and Hope Nothing Happens

You could opt to do nothing. The Montreal Protocol does not demand that homeowners remove existing A/C units that contain R22. However, you run the risk of your A/C breaking on the hottest day of the year, then paying a lot of money and waiting days for a new one to be installed. Even if nothing happens to your unit, an older unit could also cost you if you plan to sell your home and want to get top dollar for the sale.

Being proactive about your home’s A/C unit pays off in the long run — and keeps you cool when it counts.

2. Be Diligent About Maintenance

It’s tempting to hang on to the unit you have in the name of being frugal, but hanging on to a unit that runs on R22 may cost you in the long run. The initial costs of an R22 system replacement may feel high, but consider this: the cost of repairing your existing unit combined with the higher energy costs that are typical with an older unit may ultimately cost you more than going ahead with a replacement. For this reason, we always recommend replacing your A/C unit before it breaks and you’re stuck in an emergency situation.

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Contact Home Climates for Air Conditioning System Tune-Ups and Installs

Although these guidelines may be a surprise to you, the heating and cooling industry has been preparing for them for quite some time. At Home Climates, our EPA-certified technicians are available to service existing units, answer all of your questions and put your mind at ease about how these changes impact you. If your A/C unit is older, then we recommend investing in a new, energy-efficient model that will save you money on energy costs and protect the environment at the same time.

Serving Elizabethtown and surrounding Central Pennsylvania locations, Home Climates offers a five-year labor warranty and a 10-year parts warranty on our work. That’s a whole decade of peace-of-mind when it comes to your air conditioner. We also guarantee that our technicians have been background checked, and you’ll always feel safe and secure while they’re working in and around your home. But, if that’s not enough, you might also like our one-hour window guarantee. Unlike other companies that make you block off up to four hours of your day to wait for a technician when you schedule an appointment with Home Climates, you’ll get a one-hour time window for our arrival. We don’t like to wait — and we know you don’t either.

For air conditioner service or replacement, don’t wait. Make an appointment with Home Climates today.

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