R-22 Refrigerant Phaseout: What You Need to Know

If you have had your air conditioner for more than a few years, it probably uses a refrigerant called R-22 or HCFC-22. You might recognize it by its common name: freon. Recent research has revealed that R-22 has an adverse effect on our planet’s ozone layer. 

The United States has an eight-year plan to phase R-22 out by making it illegal to sell or import this particular refrigerant. You still have plenty of time to figure out which of the three following options is best for you.

You Might Already Use an Alternative Refrigerant

The nationwide ban on R-22 production has been in effect since January 2020, which was when the R-22 phaseout in Neward, DE, began. If you have an air conditioner manufactured after that date, it’s likely the unit already accepts alternative refrigerants. In this case, you won’t have to switch to an R410A refrigerant — in other words, a refrigerant that is not harmful to the environment.

Keep Your Older AC After the R-22 Phaseout in Neward, DE

Even if you have an older air conditioner, you can keep your existing unit. You will simply have to hire an HVAC contractor to inspect the unit for refrigerant leaks. As long as the system doesn’t leak refrigerant, R-22 won’t harm the ozone layer. 



Eventually, though, a replacement will become necessary. When it does, notify your AC contractor that your old system uses R-22 so they can take the proper precautions when disposing of the unit. Any newer model you install will be more eco-friendly and will use an alternative refrigerant.