R-22 Replacement Refrigerants Compared: 2026 Guide for Techs

Every R-22 service call eventually raises the question of what to put in the system instead. The answer depends on what the system cools, what oil is in the compressor and what EPA allows for that equipment. This guide compares the R-22 replacements contractors actually use, explains what “drop-in” really means, and covers the option many skip: staying on R-22.

First: you may not need a replacement

U.S. production and import of R-22 ended on January 1, 2020, but EPA says you may keep using R-22 in an existing system for as long as necessary, and it doesn’t require anyone to convert. Supply now comes from reclaimed R-22 and pre-2020 stock. EPA’s homeowner FAQ notes that technicians who repair a leak will usually recharge with R-22, because alternatives need system changes.

If the system is sound and the leak is fixed, R-22 is often the simplest path: no oil change, no new P-T chart, no relabeling. We’re an EPA-certified reclaimer. We reclaim and clean R-22 in-house, purity test every batch in-house and through National Refrigerants Inc., and fill it into brand-new, factory-sealed cylinders. See the R-22 buying guide for sizes and rules.

Retrofit when the system needs a major repair anyway or the owner wants off R-22 for good.

What “drop-in” really means

EPA is blunt: “There are no ‘drop in’ replacements for HCFC-22.” When a blend is sold as a “drop-in,” it usually means many systems can keep their mineral or alkylbenzene oil. Everything else still changes:

• Oil return. HFCs don’t mix with mineral oil the way R-22 does. Small hydrocarbon additives in blends like R-422B help carry oil back, but long line sets, risers and receivers can still need POE.
• Seals. Elastomers swell differently in HFCs, so the guides say to replace critical seals such as Schrader cores and receiver gaskets.
• Glide. R-22 has none; every blend here is zeotropic. Charge liquid, read superheat from the dew point and subcooling from the bubble point, and don’t charge to a clear sight glass.
• Capacity and charge. Some blends run lower suction pressure or lose capacity at low evaporator temperatures, and a TXV may need adjusting. Most guides start at 85% to 95% of the R-22 charge by weight.

R-22 replacement refrigerants compared

Sources: EPA SNAP lists and blend compositions (GWP as EPA rounds it); EPA ozone-depleting substances table (R-22); Chemours, Choice, Arkema and Refrigerant Solutions retrofit literature (oil). All seven replacements are ASHRAE 34 safety class A1 (nonflammable, lower toxicity) with zero ozone depletion potential; R-22’s is 0.055. R-453A composition from EPA’s 2019 SNAP determination.

All of these are HFCs, which the AIM Act is phasing down (a 40% cut from 2024, 70% from 2029). They keep existing R-22 equipment running; they aren’t for new systems.

How each replacement behaves

R-422B (NU-22B): air conditioning on existing oil

Chemours says R-422B gives similar capacity and efficiency to R-22 in most systems, with a lower discharge temperature, and keeps the existing oil in most cases. Suction runs lower: about 59 psig versus 69 psig for R-22 at a 40°F evaporator. Condensing pressure is nearly the same. National Refrigerants notes up to about 10% less capacity at lower evaporator temperatures, so it’s mostly an AC refrigerant. More in our R-422B guide.

R-438A (MO99): the all-rounder

The same Chemours guide covers R-438A for DX AC and medium- and low-temperature refrigeration. Its pressures are closer to R-22: about 66 psig versus 69 psig at a 40°F evaporator, with condensing pressure within about 2 to 7 psi from 80°F to 140°F. Its glide is wider: 35.7°F bubble to 45.2°F dew at 68 psig. Both blends can be topped off after a leak, shouldn’t be used in centrifugal or flooded-evaporator chillers, and must never be mixed.

R-421A: two components, close P-T match

Choice R-421A is just R-125 and R-134a, packaged with a proprietary lubricant. Choice says no oil change is normally needed, but recommends converting at least 20% of the oil to POE when there’s a 20 to 25 foot vertical rise between evaporator and condenser. Start at 90% to 95% of the R-22 charge. Its P-T chart shows 68.7 psig liquid and 58.1 psig vapor at 40°F, so read superheat from the vapor column.

R-422D (MO29): refrigeration and DX chillers

Chemours aimed R-422D at medium- and low-temperature refrigeration and DX AC, including DX water chillers. Its refrigeration model showed 8% more capacity at low temperature and 5% less at medium temperature than R-22, with much lower discharge temperatures. Most systems keep their oil; DX systems with low-pressure receivers need one change to POE. Note: EPA has not allowed R-422D for retrofits of supermarket systems or remote condensing units since July 20, 2016.

R-427A: retrofit-only, with POE

Arkema says Forane 427A has capacity, efficiency and mass flow close to R-22 (mass flow within 8%), so expansion devices rarely need changing. Expect 0 to 5 psi lower suction, 0 to 10 psi higher discharge and about 9°F of glide. Arkema recommends POE, usually in one oil change; simple systems can often keep their oil, but receivers, long or complex line sets, compressors more than 5 feet above the evaporator, Trane 3-D and Danfoss SM scrolls and screw compressors need POE. EPA lists R-427A for retrofits only.

R-407C: closest to R-22, most work

In Chemours’ tests in unmodified split-system heat pumps and window units, R-407C delivered 98% to 106% of R-22’s cooling capacity at 93% to 97% of its efficiency, with higher discharge pressure. The catch is oil: Chemours’ procedure switches to POE, usually in several oil changes, before the R-22 comes out. See our R-407C guide. We stock it in 25 lb cylinders by the pallet and 2 lb cylinders.

R-453A (RS-70): lower GWP, refrigeration in the U.S.

R-453A ties R-407C for the lowest GWP here, about 1,770. Its maker says it works with mineral, alkylbenzene and POE oils, with about 4.2°C (7.6°F) of glide. But EPA lists it only for certain refrigeration uses: cold storage warehouses, industrial process refrigeration, remote condensing units and refrigerated trucks and trailers. It isn’t listed for residential or light commercial AC, so it’s not the pick for an R-22 home system.

Which one for which job

• Residential or light commercial DX AC on mineral oil: R-422B, R-438A or R-421A. R-427A works too, with the POE caveats above.
• AC where you can do oil changes: R-407C runs closest to R-22’s performance.
• Medium- and low-temperature refrigeration: R-438A, R-422D, R-427A or R-453A, depending on what EPA allows for that equipment type.
• Centrifugal or flooded-evaporator chillers: Chemours says its R-422B, R-438A and R-422D are not recommended. Talk to the equipment maker.

What not to put in an R-22 system

• R-410A. EPA lists it for new equipment only, and it runs at about 319 psig at 100°F versus 196 for R-22. See what happens if you put R-410A in an R-22 system. New AC now uses refrigerants such as R-454B.
• R-22a or “22a.” EPA warns it’s a flammable propane and butane blend falsely marketed as R-22.
• A blend on top of R-22. Recover all the R-22 first; mixing creates a refrigerant of unknown composition.

Retrofit basics

Follow the refrigerant and equipment makers’ instructions. The common steps:

1. Record baseline readings on R-22: pressures, superheat, subcooling, amps.
2. Recover the R-22 into a recovery cylinder and weigh it. Never vent it.
3. Change or add oil if the blend’s guide calls for it.
4. Replace the filter drier and critical seals.
5. Evacuate (the guides call for about 500 microns) and leak check.
6. Charge liquid only, starting below the original R-22 charge, then adjust to target superheat.
7. Label the system with the new refrigerant and oil.

Our line set flush kit and Flush-It clean oil, sludge and residue out of line sets during a refrigerant retrofit. A flush doesn’t make an R-22 system R-410A-ready. For small leaks in home AC, our 3-in-1 leak sealant works with R-22 and its replacements. We don’t do repairs.

Rules that apply

• SNAP by equipment type. EPA allows a retrofit only with a refrigerant listed as acceptable for that end use. See EPA’s SNAP list for residential and light commercial AC.
• No venting. The Clean Air Act prohibits knowingly venting R-22 or its HFC replacements.
• Commercial leak repair. Since January 1, 2026, EPA’s leak repair rule (40 CFR 84.106) covers HFC appliances with 15 lb or more of charge, except residential and light commercial AC. A commercial refrigeration system that size, converted from R-22 to an HFC blend, falls under it.
• California. Since January 1, 2025, California prohibits selling bulk virgin HFCs over 2,200 GWP; reclaimed HFCs are exempt (CARB summary). Our virgin R-422B, R-422D, R-421A and R-438A can’t ship to California.

More on the federal rules in our EPA guidelines.

Buying R-22 and replacement refrigerants from Absolute Refrigerants

• R-22: reclaimed in-house, in 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 and 30 lb cylinders, plus 30 lb cylinders by the pallet. Free UPS Ground shipping to the lower 48, no hazmat fee. Most weekday orders placed by 1 PM Arizona time ship the same day, and the optional Ship It Today upgrade guarantees same-day processing. Local pickup in Scottsdale, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 1 PM.
• Retrofit blends: R-422B, R-438A, R-421A, R-422D, R-427A, R-407C and R-453A in 25 lb cylinders, by the quarter (10), half (20) or full pallet (40). 100% virgin, factory sealed. Free truck freight to the lower 48, signature required. See dispatching times.
• Pricing: live on every product page, no quote needed. Need a mixed pallet? Use our custom pallet request. Our bulk pallet buying guide covers freight and receiving.
• At checkout: upload your EPA card or e-sign a waiver confirming the refrigerant goes to a certified HVAC technician. See Can I buy refrigerant without a license?

We sell refrigerant, line set flush products and leak sealant. We don’t sell AC or heating equipment.

R-22 replacement FAQ

What is the best replacement for R-22?

It depends on the system. For DX air conditioners on mineral oil, R-422B, R-438A (MO99) and R-421A are popular because most systems can keep the existing oil. R-438A and R-422D are common in refrigeration, within EPA’s limits for each equipment type. R-407C runs close to R-22 but needs POE oil. A sound system can also stay on reclaimed R-22.

Is there a true drop-in replacement for R-22?

No. EPA says there are no drop-in replacements for HCFC-22 and that alternatives won’t work well without changes to system components. In marketing, “drop-in” usually just means many systems can keep their oil.

Can I mix an R-22 replacement with R-22 or top off R-22 with it?

No. Recover all of the R-22 first. Chemours says topping off an HCFC system with its retrofit blends is not recommended, and Arkema says mixing creates a refrigerant of unknown composition that isn’t SNAP approved.

Can I put R-410A in an R-22 system?

No. EPA lists R-410A for new equipment only. It runs at about 319 psig at 100°F versus about 196 psig for R-22. An R-22 system needs R-22 or a SNAP-listed retrofit blend.

Is R-22 still legal to buy and use?

Yes. U.S. production and import ended on January 1, 2020, but EPA says you may keep using R-22 in existing systems for as long as necessary. Supply comes from reclaimed R-22 and pre-2020 stock.

Do R-22 replacement refrigerants need an oil change?

It depends on the blend. Chemours says R-422B and R-438A work with the existing oil in most systems, adding about 20% POE where oil return is a concern. Choice says R-421A normally needs no oil change. R-407C needs POE. Follow the compressor maker’s guidance.

Is R-22a the same as R-22 or a legal replacement?

No. EPA warns that R-22a has been falsely marketed as R-22 or an R-22 replacement. It is a flammable hydrocarbon blend containing propane and butane, and EPA says it is not an acceptable alternative for residential AC.

Do I need an EPA card to buy R-22 or retrofit refrigerants?

At checkout you can upload your EPA card or e-sign a waiver confirming the refrigerant goes to a certified HVAC technician.