About AC Repair & The R22 Refrigerant Mandate

Refrigerant, more commonly known by the trademark name Freon, is the chemical that makes air conditioning possible. One of the most common types of refrigerant, called R22, contains HCFC which includes ozone-depleting chlorine.

R22 refrigerant can affect the environment in the unlikely event of a leak from an air conditioning system. So in accordance with the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency passed a mandate for the phase-out of R22 refrigerant. In fact, the manufacturing of heating and air conditioning systems containing R22 refrigerant has already ceased, so if you purchase a new heating and air conditioning system, it will likely contain the more environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant. R410A is an environmentally responsible refrigerant, as it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals.

So, how could this refrigerant change affect you?

1. The first thing you need to know is some air conditioning repairs could require the refrigerant to be added to the system. If your HVAC system was installed prior to 2010 and contains R22 refrigerant, and if it ever requires more refrigerant, R22 may not be widely available, particularly after the year 2020 when all production will have stopped.

2. Keep in mind however; refrigerant leaks are an unlikely occurrence for most systems, so just be aware of the type of refrigerant your air conditioning system uses. It’s a good idea to schedule an annual tune-up and ask a NATE-certified technician what type of refrigerant your system contains. A certified technician will provide all the information you need and make trustworthy recommendations for the proper maintenance of your system.

3. You can also find out what type of refrigerant your system uses by reading the unit model and serial number label. The label is typically located on the external panel of the outside air conditioning or heat pump unit, usually on the front-facing panel or around the top of the unit.

Here are three important precautions regarding the discontinued use of R22 refrigerant:

1. First, do not attempt to add refrigerant to your system yourself, or change the refrigerant from R22 to another type. These actions could void the unit’s warranty, affect the regulatory approval of the system and cause significant damage. It’s best to seek qualified advice from a NATE-certified HVAC technician if you are concerned about the type of refrigerant in your air conditioner or heat pump.

2. Also know that you probably do not need to replace your heating and air conditioning system right now just because of the R22 refrigerant change. Unless there are other reasons that make it a smart decision to replace your heating and cooling system, such as:

• to redeem government credits and rebates
• excessive system age
• costly repairs needed, and/or
• inefficient use of energy,

then it’s probably not necessary to purchase a new heating and air conditioning system. Refrigerant type is just one of the important factors when considering a new system.

3. Likewise, avoid doing business with HVAC contractors that tell you to replace your system now just because of the R22 phase-out. Contractors making this recommendation citing the R22 mandate probably do not have your best interest in mind (read more about repair scams here). Instead, seek a second opinion from Service Experts or another NATE-certified company that guarantees their work with a written 100% satisfaction guarantee and can provide a history of customer testimonials.

Although the cost of servicing R22 refrigerant is expected to increase between now and the year 2020, there is probably nothing for homeowners to worry about in the immediate future. Just be aware of the phase-out of R22 and discuss the change with your HVAC technician during your next air conditioning tune-up. They’ll be happy to answer any questions.

For more useful information on this or other home heating and air conditioning topics, sign up to receive free email coupons and tips by visiting the website of your local Service Experts company. Or call us at 1-888-432-8266.