Updated October 2026: R-22 is still legal to buy and use to service existing systems; new production and import ended in the U.S. on January 1, 2020. Our R-22 is EPA-certified reclaimed and factory sealed. See our R-22 Refrigerant Buying Guide for current rules, sizes, prices and how ordering works.
What is R22 Refrigerant by Absolute Refrigerants
Want to learn more about what is R22 refrigerant? R-22 (HCFC-22, often called Freon) is the refrigerant in most U.S. home air conditioners and heat pumps built before 2010. New R-22 has not been produced or imported in the U.S. since January 1, 2020, so it costs more than it used to, but it is still legal to use it to service existing R-22 systems. This article explains what that means for your system and when an alternative makes sense. It will also provide you with helpful information on the benefits of R22 alternatives.
Cost of R22 refrigerant
When it comes to AC systems, R22 refrigerant is a crucial component. Most units use five pounds or more of this chemical to cool a home or business. Despite its importance, the cost of R22 is rising rapidly. You may be able to save money by upgrading your air conditioner to a newer, more efficient model, but if you wait too long, you could face a high repair bill and a depreciating system.
The supply of R22 is limited, which is driving up the price. Since January 1, 2020, no new (virgin) R-22 can be produced or imported in the U.S., so existing systems are serviced mostly with recovered R-22 that has been reclaimed. Used R-22 must be cleaned to the AHRI-700 purity standard by an EPA-certified reclaimer before it can be resold. There is no deadline to stop using R-22: your system can keep running as long as it works and you can get the refrigerant.
Because supply shrinks as existing stock is used up, R-22 prices have generally trended upward since the phase-out, and that raises the cost of servicing older systems. If your R-22 system needs a major repair, compare the repair cost with the cost of replacing it. If it only needs a recharge after a leak repair, reclaimed R-22 keeps it running.
Environmental impact of R22
The Environmental Impact of R22 is a concern for the United States government. In the past, R-22 was widely used in industrial applications as a refrigerant and propellant. However, production of this gas has been phased out in developed nations and is being phased down in developing countries under the Montreal Protocol. However, R-22 is still a useful intermediate in industrial organofluorine chemistry. It is an important precursor to tetrafluoroethylene and is a key component of some chemical processes.
Although R22 is an ozone-depleting substance, it is commonly used in air conditioning systems and heat pumps. It runs continuously through the system, absorbing heat and providing cool air. Because R-22 depletes the ozone layer, the EPA phased out its production and import under the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol, ending January 1, 2020. Venting R-22 is prohibited, so it must be recovered during service. When an R-22 system reaches the end of its life, replacing it with equipment built for a newer refrigerant is the long-term option.
As the ozone layer is depleted, more ultraviolet rays will reach the earth. This is not good for the skin and has a negative impact on the environment. To reduce these long-term risks, R-22 production has been phased out in the United States. There are several alternatives to R-22, covered below.
Alternatives to R22
New air conditioners are built for other refrigerants, such as R-410A, R-454B and R-32, and those cannot be put into an R-22 system. For converting an existing R-22 system, retrofit refrigerants such as R-407C, R-422B and R-438A are options, but they are not the same as R-22 and may require oil, seal or component changes.
It is legal to service and recharge existing R-22 equipment with R-22. What changed is that new air conditioners have not been manufactured with R-22 since 2010, and no new R-22 has been produced or imported in the U.S. since January 1, 2020. That is why most R-22 sold today is reclaimed: recovered refrigerant cleaned to AHRI-700 purity by an EPA-certified reclaimer. Never top off a system that still holds R-22 with a different refrigerant. Switching to an alternative means recovering the R-22 first and confirming the system is compatible.
HFC retrofit blends have zero ozone-depletion potential, and some, such as R-422B and R-438A, are designed to work with the mineral oil already in many R-22 systems. Trade-offs can include somewhat lower capacity or efficiency than R-22 and possible leaks at seals, because these blends do not swell elastomer seals the way R-22 does. Elastomers are used in shaft seals and Schrader valves.
About Absolute Refrigerants
Absolute Refrigerants has been assisting contractors, suppliers, and homeowners nationwide since 2015. Our R-22 is EPA-certified reclaimed refrigerant, cleaned in-house and factory sealed in new cylinders at our own facility. Purity is tested in-house and by an independent third party, National Refrigerants, Inc., and results are available on request. You can verify us on the EPA’s list of certified refrigerant reclaimers. R-22 is the only refrigerant we reclaim. R-410A and all of our other refrigerants are new, factory-sealed product from major manufacturers. Shipping is free by UPS Ground to the lower 48. Orders placed by 1 PM Arizona time on weekdays usually ship the same day, or you can guarantee same-day shipping with Ship It Today for $15. We have a strong customer service focus that is not often found within the HVAC industry.
Absolute Refrigerants serves residential and commercial air conditioning customers in the United States. Our company only handles quality products. The company has a strong customer service focus not normally found within the HVAC industry. Every customer is valued and treated with importance, no matter the size of the job!
