Effective January 1, 2020, freon refrigerant will no longer be produced. If you have an HVAC system that uses R-22 refrigerant, then this could mean that big changes are coming your way. Here’s why R-22 refrigerant will no longer be produced and what this will mean for your home.
What Is Freon (R-22) Refrigerant?
Freon refrigerant is a coolant that is used in HVAC systems to produce cool air. It’s a chemical solution called hydrochlorofluorocarbon 22 or HCFC-22, but it’s known in most households as R-22. This is not the same freon used in cars, so this change won’t impact your vehicle at all, only your home (or business).
Why Is R-22 Being Discontinued?
The United States will no longer produce R-22 freon refrigerant, nor will it have it imported into the country. Although this change may seem sudden, this has been a long time coming. Back in 2010, a full 10 years ago now (if you can believe it), the EPA started discouraging the use of R-22 on the basis that it’s harmful to the ozone. A more eco-friendly refrigerant will take its place called R-410A.
What This Change Means for Your Home
This change won’t immediately make your older air conditioner obsolete, but it will make repairs trickier to perform and more costly. Although the United States won’t be producing or importing R-22 anymore, this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get it. Some places have stockpiled the refrigerant in anticipation of this change, so you could still find it, but it will be considerably more expensive – and that’s just for purchasing the freon itself. Since you’re (more likely) not licensed to work with freon, you’ll also have to hire someone to work with the freon for you, which will be its own charge.
Your best option at this point is to purchase a new HVAC model that doesn’t require R-22 freon refrigerant to function. Since it’s winter now, you can wait a while before this becomes a big concern for you, but this is something you want to start thinking about right away. You can start saving now, start shopping around, and even consider some financing options. For example, Action Air partners with Service Finance Company, LLC to enable customers to get the comfort they need before they have enough saved up.
Want to Upgrade Your HVAC Unit?
If your HVAC unit is old enough to be impacted by this change, then it’s possible that your home would benefit with a new HVAC model. If your current model is over 10 years old, then it’s not heating or cooling your home as efficiently as it could. You should also consider a new HVAC model if you’re having to pay for constant repairs or the repairs themselves have gotten individually expensive. Call Action Air for an estimate on a new HVAC model today! Not only do we have financing options available, but we also have seasonal specials for new and returning customers.
