R-22 Refrigerant Phase Out

R-22 freon is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that has been the primary refrigerant choice in the heating and cooling industry for many years.  Due to the negative effects that CFC’s and HCFC’s can have on the environment, an HCFC phaseout schedule has been adopted under the Clean Air Act.  As the refrigerant is phased out, manufacturers will offer heating and air conditioning systems that use a more ozone friendly refrigerant known as R-410A.  Vero Beach homeowners should be aware of how this phase out will affect the servicing of their existing equipment and how to plan for equipment replacement if necessary.

The phaseout period provides homeowners time to switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants when you normally would replace your refrigerant and air conditioning equipment.  It is important to know that as of 2010, there is not a ban on the sell of R-22 for use in existing equipment, only the production of equipment using R-22 will be banned.  In simple terms, as of 2010 these basics apply:

• Only remaining stock of R-22 systems will be available for sale
• R-22 will still be available until 2020 for existing equipment only
• Homeowners looking to replace their air conditioning systems in 2010 and after will greatly benefit by the purchase of a new high efficiency R-410A system.
• The price of R-22 will begin to increase as the price for R-410A will decrease
• Homeowners looking to replace only their air handler or condenser will, in most cases, will need to replace the entire unit as mix-matching systems may not meet code requirements.

Look for more to come on the R-22 phase-out.