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. There is no deadline to stop using R-22 in an existing system. See our R-22 Refrigerant Buying Guide for current rules, sizes, prices and how ordering works.
What Year will R22 be Phased Out – Absolute Refrigerants
Want to learn more about what year will R22 be phased out? R22 (Freon) is a refrigerant that has been used for many years. It was first introduced as an alternative to CFCs that were being phased out at the time. While it solved this problem, it created a bigger one in the long run. R22 is now being phased out from being produced, which means that in the future it will only be available in a secondary market.
In 2010, the production and import of R22 were further limited by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Because R-22 depletes the ozone layer, the production, and import of this refrigerant was further limited in 2010. This is because the chlorine in HCFC refrigerants like R-22 damages the Earth’s ozone layer, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays.
EPA phased out R22
R22 is a refrigerant used in older refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The EPA phased out R22 over several years, with the last phase-out date being January 1st, 2020 which means companies cannot produce or import it anymore.
What happens after 2020?
This doesn’t mean you can’t still use your R22 system after 2020, you’ll just have to find a reputable supplier for the refrigerant, like Absolute Refrigerants. Absolute Refrigerants sells EPA-certified reclaimed, factory-sealed R-22 online with live pricing, so no quote is needed, and can advise you on managing your current cooling system. 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.
Over the next several years, less and less R22 will be available.
Refrigerant R22 is being phased out of production. This refrigerant was used in many residential and commercial air conditioning systems.
As the supply of R22 dwindles, many manufacturers have begun to phase out their use of this refrigerant. In some cases, a new system may be needed to replace an older one that uses R22.
R22 will be available because manufacturers
Over the next several years, less and less R22 will be available because manufacturers have already stopped production of new air conditioners and heat pumps that use R-22 refrigerant. This means that as the years go on there will be less supply available for service technicians to refill your AC unit if it needs servicing or repairing.
Reclaimed R22 is still allowed
The use of recovered and reclaimed R22 is still allowed, and there is no deadline to stop using it: if you have a system that uses R22, you can keep servicing it for as long as the system runs. However, there are some new regulations in place to ensure that recycled R22 is safe for your system.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented two new regulations that affect the use of recycled R22. Used R-22 that is sold to a new owner must first be reclaimed: cleaned to the AHRI-700 purity standard by an EPA-certified reclaimer. And refrigerant must be recovered, not vented, during service and disposal.
EPA-Certified Reclaimed R-22
Absolute Refrigerants is an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer. We clean R-22 in-house and seal it in new cylinders at our own facility, and you can verify us on the EPA’s list of certified refrigerant reclaimers. Many R-22 sellers are not on that list.
Conclusion
R22, a common refrigerant for air conditioning systems, has not been produced or imported in the U.S. since January 1st, 2020, under Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules. However, it is still legal to buy and use R-22 to maintain existing systems, and EPA-certified reclaimed R-22 is available today. If you need any assistance with finding this refrigerant or alternatives, please contact Absolute Refrigerant today!
