By Absolute Refrigerants, an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer in Scottsdale, Arizona. Last reviewed October 2026.

If you have an older air conditioner or heat pump, it probably runs on R-22. New R-22 hasn’t been made or imported in the U.S. since January 1, 2020, so a lot of homeowners and techs are asking the same questions: Can I still buy R-22? What should it cost? Is the R-22 I’m buying legitimate? This guide answers those questions plainly, with links to the EPA sources so you can check everything yourself.

Quick answers

  • Can you still buy R-22? Yes. EPA allows existing R-22 systems to keep being serviced with reclaimed or previously produced R-22.
  • What we sell: EPA-certified reclaimed R-22, cleaned to the AHRI-700 purity standard and filled into new, factory-sealed cylinders here in Arizona. Every batch is purity tested in-house and by an independent third-party lab.
  • Sizes and price: 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 and 30 lb cylinders, plus 1/4, 1/2 and full pallets of 30 lb cylinders. See current R-22 sizes and pricing on our R-22 product page.
  • Shipping: Free standard shipping to the lower 48, including pallets (cylinders by UPS Ground, pallets by truck freight). Orders placed before 1 PM MST, Monday–Friday, usually ship the same day. An optional Ship It Today upgrade at checkout guarantees same-day shipping, but it doesn’t make delivery faster.

Shop all R-22 refrigerant →

Can I Still Buy R-22 in 2026?

Yes. The 2020 phase-out ended production and import of R-22. It did not ban using it or selling existing supplies. According to the EPA:

  • U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 (R-22) ended on January 1, 2020.
  • You may keep using R-22 in your existing system for as long as you need to. EPA does not require you to replace or convert it.
  • After 2020, only recovered and reclaimed R-22, or R-22 produced before 2020, can be used to service existing equipment.

Sources: EPA, Homeowners and Consumers FAQ; EPA, Residential Air Conditioning and the Phaseout of HCFC-22 (PDF); EPA, Technicians and Contractors FAQ.

What you can’t do is buy a new central AC system that runs on R-22. That’s why the remaining supply goes to keeping existing systems running. EPA has also reported that reclaimers recovered and reclaimed more than 140 million pounds of HCFC-22 from 2000 to 2018, and it expects reclaimed and pre-2020 supply to serve existing systems well beyond the phase-out date.

Reclaimed vs. Virgin R-22: What’s the Difference?

“Virgin” R-22 means newly manufactured refrigerant that has never been used in a system. Since 2020, no new R-22 has been produced or imported in the U.S., so the supply now is reclaimed R-22 plus whatever older stock is left.

Reclaimed R-22 is recovered from equipment, then reprocessed and lab-tested back to the same purity standard required of new refrigerant. Under EPA rules, used refrigerant has to be reprocessed to at least the purity in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, which is based on AHRI Standard 700. Purity also has to be verified with the lab protocol in that standard (EPA, Refrigerant Reclamation Requirements).

“Recovered” and “reclaimed” are not the same thing. Recovered refrigerant has only been pulled out of a system. EPA rules say recovered refrigerant can’t be sold to a new owner unless an EPA-certified reclaimer has reclaimed it first. If someone is selling used R-22 that hasn’t gone through a certified reclaimer, walk away.

Here’s how it works at Absolute Refrigerants:

  • We are listed on EPA’s official list of certified refrigerant reclaimers (Absolute Refrigerants, Scottsdale, AZ).
  • We reclaim and clean the R-22 in-house to AHRI-700 purity.
  • Every batch is purity tested twice: in-house, and by an independent third-party lab, National Refrigerants, Inc., to the AHRI-700 standard. Purity results are available on request.
  • We fill and seal every new cylinder ourselves, so what you get is EPA-certified reclaimed, factory-sealed R-22.

Refrigerant that meets AHRI-700 is held to the same purity standard as new refrigerant, so your system and your tech get the same performance.

R-22 Sizes and Prices

We fill R-22 in cylinder sizes for single-system recharges all the way up to full pallets for contractors and distributors. Our bulk pricing is live and updates hourly, so you don’t need to request a quote. The price you see on the product page is the price you pay.

For current pricing on every size, see the R-22 refrigerant category. Weights listed are refrigerant only, not the empty cylinder.

Which size do I need? It depends on how much refrigerant your system is missing, and a technician has to find and fix the leak first. Small top-offs after a repair usually call for a 2–7 lb cylinder. Larger repairs or several service calls fit the 10–30 lb sizes better. Contractors who go through R-22 regularly usually save the most per pound with 30 lb cylinders and pallets.

What Drives R-22 Prices in 2026?

We won’t quote other sellers’ prices, which change constantly. These are the factors that actually move R-22 prices:

  1. There is no new production. Supply is limited to reclaimed refrigerant and remaining pre-2020 stock, so it can’t grow to meet a demand spike.
  2. Reclaim volume. Supply depends on how much R-22 techs recover from retired and repaired systems and send to reclaimers.
  3. Season. Demand rises in spring and summer as AC systems get used hard, especially in hot states. Buying in the off-season can help you avoid scrambling during a July breakdown.
  4. Cylinder size. Larger cylinders and pallets generally cost less per pound than small cylinders.
  5. Quality and testing. Properly reclaimed, lab-tested, and sealed refrigerant from a certified reclaimer costs more to produce than gas of unknown origin. That testing is what protects your compressor.

Who Can Buy R-22? How the Rules Work

R-22 is regulated under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act and EPA’s rules at 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F. Briefly:

  • Sales. EPA’s refrigerant sales restriction covers refrigerant sold for stationary air conditioning and refrigeration and gives sellers verification and record-keeping duties (EPA, Refrigerant Sales Restriction).
  • Installation. Anyone who attaches gauges or adds or removes refrigerant must hold EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (EPA).
  • Reclaim. Used R-22 can’t be sold to a new owner unless an EPA-certified reclaimer has reclaimed it.

How our checkout works. At checkout, you either upload your EPA 608 card, or, if you’re handing the refrigerant to a certified HVAC technician, you e-sign our waiver right at checkout. It takes a minute. Our EPA Guidelines page has the details.

R-22 Replacement Options (and a Caution About “Drop-Ins”)

If your system is leaking badly or getting old, it may make more sense to retrofit or replace it than to keep buying R-22. EPA’s SNAP program lists several refrigerants as acceptable for retrofitting residential and light-commercial AC and heat pumps, including:

Source: EPA SNAP, Substitutes in Residential and Light Commercial AC and Heat Pumps.

Use caution, because there is no true “drop-in.” EPA itself notes that alternative refrigerants won’t work well without changes to system components. Before you convert:

  • A certified technician should recover all of the R-22 first. Never mix refrigerants or top off R-22 with a different refrigerant.
  • Blends have temperature glide and are usually charged as a liquid. Cooling capacity can be lower than with R-22.
  • Some alternatives need different oil or valve adjustments, so follow the refrigerant manufacturer’s retrofit guidelines.
  • Label the system with the new refrigerant so the next tech knows what’s in it.
  • Never put R-410A in an R-22 system. It runs at much higher pressures. See What Happens if You Put R-410A in an R-22 System?
  • EPA lists flammable refrigerants as unacceptable for retrofitting split AC systems and heat pumps. Avoid any “R-22 replacement” sold as a propane or hydrocarbon blend.

For many systems still in good shape, a proper leak repair and an R-22 recharge is still the simplest and most efficient fix. EPA notes that equipment generally runs best on the refrigerant it was designed for.

How to Tell a Legitimate R-22 Seller

Since R-22 is no longer manufactured, where it came from matters more than ever. Many online R-22 sellers are resellers, not reclaimers. That can be fine, but you should know who actually reclaimed the refrigerant. Before you buy, check:

  1. Is the reclaimer on EPA’s list? Search the company name and address on EPA’s certified reclaimer list. EPA also publishes a list of companies that are no longer certified.
  2. Is it reclaimed and tested to AHRI-700? Ask whether the seller can share purity results. Vague terms like “premium” or “recycled,” with no reclaimer named, are a red flag.
  3. Is the cylinder sealed and properly labeled? It should be a sealed cylinder with proper hazmat labeling, shipped by ground as a regulated hazardous material.
  4. Is the seller clear about compliance? A legitimate seller explains how EPA’s sales rules apply. One that ignores them is cutting corners.
  5. Does the price make sense? A price far below market can mean contaminated or mislabeled refrigerant. Bad refrigerant can damage a compressor that costs far more than the gas.

Shipping, Same-Day Cutoff, and Local Pickup

  • Free shipping to the lower 48 states. Cylinders ship UPS ground. Refrigerant is a regulated hazardous material, so it ships by ground only. You get a tracking number by email.
  • Free pallet freight: orders of 10 or more cylinders ship by truck freight, free to the lower 48. A signature is required on delivery.
  • Same-day shipping: orders placed before 1:00 PM MST (Arizona time), Monday–Friday usually ship the same day. An optional Ship It Today upgrade at checkout guarantees same-day shipping, but it doesn’t make delivery faster. See Dispatching Times.
  • Local pickup: 7607 E Greenway Rd #700, Scottsdale, AZ, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–1 PM MST.
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–2 PM MST. Questions? Contact us.

R-22 FAQ

Is R-22 illegal now? No. Using and servicing existing R-22 systems is legal. The 2020 rule ended new production and import of R-22, not its use. Existing systems can be serviced with reclaimed or previously produced R-22 (EPA).

Is reclaimed R-22 as good as new? Properly reclaimed R-22 must be reprocessed and lab-verified to the AHRI-700 purity standard, which is the same standard required of new refrigerant. Ours is reclaimed in-house by an EPA-certified reclaimer, purity tested in-house and by the third-party lab National Refrigerants, Inc., and sealed in new cylinders. Purity results are available on request.

Is your R-22 virgin? No. No new R-22 has been produced or imported in the U.S. since 2020. Ours is EPA-certified reclaimed R-22 that meets AHRI-700 purity, in new, factory-sealed cylinders.

How much does R-22 cost in 2026? R-22 prices depend on cylinder size and the current market. Pallets of 30 lb cylinders are available for contractors. Current pricing is live on the R-22 product page, and bulk pricing updates hourly, so no quote is needed.

What can I use instead of R-22? EPA’s SNAP program lists R-407C, R-422B, R-438A (MO99), R-421A and others as acceptable retrofit refrigerants for residential AC. None of them is a true drop-in. A certified technician should recover the R-22 and follow the manufacturer’s retrofit steps.

How do I buy if I’m not an HVAC technician? At checkout, you either upload your EPA 608 card, or, if you’re handing the refrigerant to a certified HVAC technician, you e-sign our waiver electronically at checkout. See our EPA Guidelines.

How fast will my R-22 ship? Standard UPS Ground shipping to the lower 48 is free. Orders placed before 1 PM MST, Monday–Friday, usually ship the same day, and an optional Ship It Today upgrade at checkout guarantees same-day shipping. It doesn’t make delivery faster. Pallets (10+ cylinders) go by free truck freight with a signature required.

Ready to order? Shop EPA-certified reclaimed R-22 → · Contractor pallets →

Related reading: R-22 vs. R-410A · What Is R-22 Refrigerant? · What Is R-407C? · What Is R-422B Used For?