The good news is that new air conditioning systems made since 2010 no longer rely on freon.
New freon for ac units.
Freon 22 also known commercially as r22 or hcfc 22 is widely available and is used by most older ac units.
This chemical is an hfc hydrofluorocarbon but has been shown not to harm the ozone and since 2015 has become the standard for residential air conditioning.
Beginning in 2020 freon based a c units will not have to be replaced right away.
New freon ruling doesn t require new ac units your home tom s tips published 6 30 am cst friday march 12 2010 image 1 of 1.
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In today s world refrigerant is getting more expensive criminals are getting craftier and some others may be trying to find a cheap way to get high this is why we want to tell you about the new refrigerant laws you need to know.
Although the the production or import of a chemical used in freon will be banned in the u s.
Most newer ac units use a refrigerant called r410a or puron.
Freon costs an average of 150 for a freon refill.
In 2010 but parts for r 22 systems and the r 22 refrigerant itself remain available as of 2012 to hvac.
Hcfcs are being phased out but most older ac units use them along with new dry charge units that avoid the montreal protocol restrictions because the refrigerants are added by the buyer.
The new ban on r 22 won t affect homeowners that want to continue to utilize their functioning r 22 air conditioning systems.
The manufacture and import of complete new hvac systems using r 22 was banned in the u s.
If you were to put r 410a refrigerant into a system designed for r 22 the pressure would be too much and the unit would break.
Residential air conditioner freon refill cost.
If you don t have the operating guide check the electrical control box or the unit s cabinet for the information.
Most people pay between 100 and 350 for a refill depending on the size and type of your hvac unit.
Choose the right refrigerant for your unit.
R 22 air conditioners use mineral oil and r 410a systems use synthetic oil.
Older large r22 units can reach 600 or more.
A 25lb jug of r410a runs 75 to 175 labor adds an average 70 per hour.
In this blog we will go over the epa s r22 phase out and other ozone depleting substances drop in refrigerants aka r22 replacements the theft of hcfc.
After 2020 any air conditioning or heat pump system using r 22 that requires servicing will have to depend on potentially expensive r 22 stockpiles or reclaimed refrigerant.
Putting the wrong refrigerant in your unit can cause combustion injury and property damage.
All air conditioners use an oil to keep the compressor lubricated during operation.