Why the Cost of R-22 Freon Is Rising

Hot summer days aren’t the only thing to blame for the rising cost of R22 Freon. Starting next year, R22 will no longer be produced and will instead be replaced by R-410A. It’s a decision that is better for both you and the ozone layer. But what is R22 and R-410A? And why does it matter to you? Let’s find out!

What Is R22 and Why Is it Bad for the Environment?

R22 – known by the brand name Freon – is a cooling agent for your HVAC system. It cools the air that enters the unit allowing cool air to exit into your home. R-410A is the same – only it’s instead known by the common name Puron.

The way the coolant interacts with the HVAC system is the same in both cases. The coolant is held in evaporator coils. These coils absorb the heat from air that is pulled in before letting the fan blow out the remaining now-cooled air. The coolant is then turned into a gas and pumped outside by the condensing coils. The coolant is then pumped back in through an expansion valve where it is cooled down and turned back into a liquid. And so the process repeats until the system is turned off or runs out of coolant.

This process, however, isn’t good for the environment. R22 is one of the major causes in the depletion of the ozone layer. And since most air conditioners need to be full of coolant – with many units able to hold up to 20 pounds of it – to be able to work properly, the EPA’s ban of it is a welcome change.

The EPA’s Decision and You

In the mid 90s, the US phased out the use of CFCs and halons. Now the EPA plans to reduce the consumption of HCFCs. Specifically, HCFC-22 (also known as R22) and HCFC-142b are first in line to be removed – though most of the work has already been taken care of.

In 2010, the EPA banned the production, import and use of both chemicals except in the case of existing equipment. In 2015, they widened the ban to include the use of all HCFCs, except, of course, in the use of existing equipment.

In 2020, all remaining production and import of R22 and HCFC-142B will cease – even in the case of existing equipment. By 2030, the ban will again widen to include all other existing HCFCs. Unfortunately, existing HVACs produced before 2015 will need to be replaced. R-410A works with a higher pressure than R22 and is incompatible with most R22 systems.

Luckily, the ban on R-22 began in 2010 and all newly created HVAC units now use R-410A instead. Homeowners who haven’t replaced their pre-2015 unit should do so as soon as possible.

And with the bans on all R22 systems on the horizon – they won’t have much of a choice but to upgrade.

The Price Will Continue to Rise – And They Aren’t Coming Down

The rising costs of R22 Freon is not one that will drop anytime soon. In fact, the price will only increase as the quantity of R22 continues to drop. Likewise, this loss in quantity will make it more and more difficult to find which will, of course, lead to an even steeper increase in price. Add in the incoming ban set to be in place by the beginning of next year and finding R22 will be almost if not completely impossible.

Homeowners that haven’t switched by than will be in for a rude awakening. That is if they haven’t already experienced it. The rise in the cost of R22 freon is not one that has recently begun. Not long ago the price for a pound of R22 was only a mere $10. In the last few years, however, it has quickly skyrocketed and prices as high as $50 per pound are not uncommon. Combine that with the fact most AC units require between 10 and 20 pounds of the stuff and you’re easily looking at a price tag between $500 and $1000 every time you replace the entire coolant.

Add on the cost of occasionally having to top it off and you’ll find yourself throwing away a lot of money. Especially since $50 is on the low end of the price scale – many companies will charge $150 and up per pound of R22. Worse still, the cost of R22 Freon is not going to get better.

Compare that to the price of R-410A and you’ll find that you’re paying twice as much – if not more – than you should be paying for coolant. R-401A only costs $4 per pound. That’s a night and day difference but it’s also not the only one.

R-401A isn’t banned. That means you won’t have to go out of your way to find a supplier. And because it’s easy to find you won’t have to worry about paying top dollar for a product that is, frankly, not worth the cost.

What Will You Do? What Can You Do?

There are changes on the horizon and dealing with change isn’t always easy. But like many things that have changed the way we do things, you are not alone nor are you trapped with no way out. There are ways to deal with these changes and though they might be difficult – they are more than worth it.

The easiest way, of course, is to replace your current unit. Although it isn’t the cheapest option – especially if your current unit still works fine – it is still the best the best option you have as it future-proofs you for the incoming ban.

As mentioned before, all HVAC systems created after 2015 are designed to make use of R-401A. And since they are newly design, they are also more likely to come with more advanced features that older HVAC systems do not have.

A last resort option is to simply use an alternative coolant. Unfortunately, most R-22 HVACs do not support the use of R-410A and so this option is only available for a small number of cases if any. Expensive as it may be, for the vast majority of homeowners looking for a solution for the EPA’s ban on HCFCs – a replacement HVAC is the only option available. But again, though you might have to spend more money now – in the long run, the expenses you save is more than worth it. Besides – in the coming years, you won’t have much of a choice anyways.