Air Conditioner Replacement For R22 Freon & R410A Puron [2023]

You don’t need to replace your air conditioner just because it uses R22 Freon as its coolant. Manufacturers no longer produce R22 as part of an EPA-led phaseout. You can still use your system but likely have to replace it if there’s a coolant leak.

We updated this article in January 2023 to reflect the latest developments, prices, and recommendations for air conditioners that use R22 Freon or R410A Puron.

The R22 phaseout has been in the works for over a decade. it continues to become more expensive to purchase R-22 coolant, especially since the final U.S. production in 2020.  And, we can expect a similar path for air conditioners that use its replacement, R410A.

It’s all part of a decades-long international effort to reduce the use of chemicals that harm the ozone layer. As technology improves, manufacturers can use refrigerants that do the job without contributing as much to climate change.

The good news is that any system using R22 is already well over ten years old. The EPA rolled out the plan to eliminate R22 gradually over more than a decade so that by the time the coolant was hard to get, most of the systems running today wouldn’t need it.

If you purchased your system in the past few years, there’s no need to worry. Your system likely doesn’t use R22 anyway. 

While it’s illegal to import or produce R22 in the U.S., it’s not illegal to use. That means you can keep your older AC as long as it’s still working. You can also purchase R22 as long as it’s within the U.S. 

While the R22 phaseout is almost complete, a new process for R410A, its replacement, is set to begin. So, in this article, we’re explaining:

• The status of R22 and R410A production and prices
• How to know what kind of coolant your AC uses
• How to avoid having to replace your air conditioner

Related: Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling The House?

And, if you have any questions or concerns about the system in your home or business in Havertown, PA or anywhere on the Main Line, call John Cipollone, Inc at (610) 446-7877. 

R22 Phaseout Timeline And Updates

The R22 Freon phaseout has been in the works since 2010, with the official halt on production in the U.S. in January 2020. Today, R22 is very expensive, so you almost always need to replace your AC if it uses Freon and has a leak or needs a major repair.

Here’s what happened and what to expect.

Timeline

Starting in 1996, all air conditioners used either R22 or R410A Puron. Both refrigerants were widely available. So, it was relatively inexpensive to recharge a system after a leak.

Starting in 2010, all new ACs used only R410A. Manufacturers still produced R22, but only for recharging existing equipment. They also began reducing production.

Over the next decade, manufacturers produced less and less Freon each year. Then, all production ceased in 2020.

Since then, it’s been illegal to manufacture or import R22 in the U.S. But HVAC companies could still buy existing inventory or use recycled or recovered freon.

Related: What To Check When Your AC Is Running But Not Cooling

R22 Prices And Availability Near Havertown, PA [2022]

As of January 2023, R22 is still available but harder to find and much more expensive than last year. Right now, the wholesale cost is $1,400 – $1,500 for a 30-pound jug.

Last year it was roughly the same, maybe about $100 cheaper. The point is… the price is only going up until it’s completely gone. 

Most air conditioners require five pounds for a recharge, although systems in larger homes can need up to ten. However, those are wholesale prices and don’t include the cost to diagnose and repair a leak, plus the labor to recharge the system.

As a result, we usually recommend replacing a system with a leak that requires R22. The system is at least 12 years old, and most central air units last up to 15 years.

That means you’d pay a lot of money for a recharge even though you’d likely have to replace it anyway in a few years. And, older systems break down more often anyway.

Related: Should I Replace My Air Conditioner This Fall?

R410A Phaseout Timeline And Updates

The R410A phaseout is in effect now, with January 1, 2023 being the date that new HVAC systems will no longer be using R410A. This means that people could have installed systems that use this gas as recently as this past summer. 

Timeline

As we said, systems installed as recently as this past summer could still be using R410A. But, production dropped by ten percent at the beginning of 2022, and now in 2023, the production of these systems is over. 

Related: Four Signs Your Central Air May Need To Be Replaced

R22 Prices And Availability Near Havertown, PA [2022]

R410A Puron is still readily available, but prices are already going up. It’s now $495 for 25 pounds in January of 2023, up from $445, in 2022, and $90 in April 2021.

How To Tell If Your Air Conditioner Uses R22 Or R410A

If your air conditioner was made before 2010, it could use R22 or R410A. If it’s from after 2010, it uses R410A. Remember to go by the manufacturing date, not the installation.

If you had your system installed in early 2010, it might have been built the year before.

You can check the specifications for your pre-2010 online or if you still have the manual. Or, call your regular HVAC contractor. If they’ve serviced your system in the past, they should have a record of it.

Tune-Ups And AC Maintenance Prevent Breakdowns

Maintenance is always a good idea for any air conditioner. A yearly tune-up keeps your system in great working condition. That means better comfort, lower bills, and less chance of a breakdown. And, it’s even more important with older systems.

Related: Four Benefits Of Regular Maintenance

 Avoiding a coolant leak is very important if your AC uses R22 because it will drive the cost of a repair up so much that it’s not worth it. That’s where regular maintenance comes in. 

Having your trusted HVAC tech inspect the system means they’ll catch a small problem before it worsens. That could mean, for instance, spotting a worn-out line that may result in a leak later in the summer. 

The best time for AC maintenance is in the spring before you start using your air conditioning for the season. If you’re in Havertown, PA, or anywhere on the Main Line, click below or call John Cipollone at (610) 446-7877.