The Phase-Out of R-22 Refrigerant
R-22 refrigerant was for many years a commonly used refrigerant in air conditioners and heat pumps. It is a compound that includes chlorine and fluorine, both of which can potentially deplete the ozone layer and contribute to the enhancement of the Greenhouse Effect, resulting in negative impacts on our planet.
In 1987, the internationally accepted and universally ratified treaty, The Montreal Protocol, was written to phase out substances known to contribute to ozone depletion. As a party in accord with the treaty, the United States, and the EPA in particular, implemented a plan to phase out the use of R-22, setting a date of January 2020 as its deadline. After this date, all R-22 was banned, making it illegal to import or to manufacture this refrigerant in the United States.
Prior to this date, there were exceptions for the use of R-22. While the EPA began scaling back and limiting the production of R-22, it allowed the continued use of this refrigerant in existing HVAC systems using R-22. Typically this occurred when HVAC systems experienced refrigerant leaks or required substantial repairs to the refrigerant mechanisms. Now that production has been discontinued, the cost of available R-22 continues to rise, causing the costs of repairs to rise along with it.
Exercise Caution with R-22 “Substitutes”
While existing R-22 systems are aging, there are still many that are operational today and facing the dilemma of a dwindling R-22 supply to sustain them. In response to continued demand for R-22 following its phase-out mandated by the EPA, some refrigerant manufacturers have introduced products promoted to replace R-22, such as R404a, R407c, R438a, and R453a.
There are problems regarding the new replacement refrigerants, however, not the least of which is that many manufacturers do not support the use of these products in their equipment. In addition, our company is seeing a rise in the number of systems with contaminated or “mixed” refrigerant, which can potentially cause damage to the system’s operation. Often touted as safe, some other service companies are using the replacement refrigerants as a “drop-ins”, mixing new refrigerant into existing R-22. To introduce a new refrigerant, it is critical to first fully recover and then properly evacuate the existing R-22 before the replacement refrigerant is added. Also, it is important to understand that the refrigerant controls designed for R-22 may not work properly with the replacement refrigerant, so often the controls must also be changed out, adding to the repair cost substantially.
The highly trained personnel at Heat & Air Controllers are recovering more and more mixed refrigerant because a prior service company “dropped-in” the less expensive refrigerant, some even still charging for the more expensive R-22. Homeowners often do not know that the substitution has been made until they begin experiencing other refrigerant-related failures. Costs to repair systems with mixed refrigerant is quite prohibitive and often is not possible.
The “drop-in” method is also causing environmental issues since there is no way to “clean” and re-use mixed refrigerant. Our industry is faced with the additional operational cost of having to pay for mixed refrigerant disposal. Consulting with experts such as Heat & Air Controllers can provide assurance that no cross contamination occurs when refrigerant repairs are conducted, and those same experts are glad to consult with homeowners about the facts of their recommended repairs.
Breakdowns: Considering Costly R-22 Repairs versus Replacement
Homeowners and business owners alike who have aging air conditioners or heat pumps can be faced with a difficult decision when repairs are required. Since the cost of R-22 is on the rise and the availability of R-22 is on the decline, the costs for refrigerant repairs will continue to rise over time, probably at a staggering rate. For older systems, it could be very informative to consider the cost of repairs requiring R-22 versus the cost of replacing the equipment. The experts at Heat & Air Controllers can provide the information needed to make the best decision possible to maintain your home or office comfort.
Before experiencing breakdowns during the uncomfortable heat and humidity of summer, consider discussion with the experts at Heat & Air Controllers regarding the best long-term plan for your air conditioner or heat pump using R-22. While the system is operational, some things to consider include the following:
• Age of existing R-22 system
• Recent Repair Costs and Potential Future Repair Costs
• Energy Costs
• Manufacturer rebates or incentives on new equipment
• Manufacturer extended part warranties
• Heat & Air Controllers’ extended labor warranty
• Heat & Air Controllers’ FREE Prepaid Planned Maintenance for 3 years
Being proactive in discussion with the experts at Heat & Air Controllers about the possibility of replacing your old R-22 system before costly repairs become critical or necessary allows sufficient time to make a decision without the pressure of no air conditioning during peak season. Remember, failures that require replacement during the middle of summer are also impacted by the following:
• Contractor Schedules – High demand during the summer can mean delays in scheduling date of replacement.
• Manufacturer Availability – High demand during the summer can mean long waits for equipment to ship. At times, the equipment selected could be out of stock for long periods of time, limiting choices.
• Scheduling delays and Equipment delays can mean days without air conditioning.Regardless of the nature of your R-22 refrigerant repair strategy (repair vs replace), Heat & Air Controllers has the staff and the experience to help you make the best decision for your home and office comfort needs. We look forward to hearing from you!
