If you have an older air conditioning unit, chances are it uses R22 refrigerant. R22 refrigerant, also known as Freon, has been the go-to refrigerant for air conditioning systems for many years. However, R22 refrigerant is being phased out due to its negative impact on the environment. In fact, the production and import of R22 refrigerant was banned in the United States as of January 1, 2020.
Why Costs Are Going Up and What to Do if Your Unit is Leaking
So, why are the costs of R22 refrigerant going up? Simply put, it’s because of supply and demand. With the ban on production and import, the supply of R22 refrigerant is decreasing. As a result, the cost of R22 refrigerant is increasing, and it’s becoming more difficult to find.
If you have a leaking air conditioning unit that uses R22 refrigerant, it might seem like the logical solution is to simply add more refrigerant to the unit. However, this is not the best solution. When your unit is leaking refrigerant, it means there is a problem with the system that needs to be fixed. Adding more refrigerant to a leaking unit is like putting a band-aid on a broken bone – it might provide temporary relief, but it won’t fix the underlying problem. If your air conditioning system needs to have refrigerant added to it, there is a leak, and it will need to be added again at some point.
Best Solutions Identified
What’s the best solution for homeowners with R22 refrigerant units that are leaking or damaged? It’s important to get your unit inspected by a professional HVAC technician who can diagnose the problem and provide recommendations for repair or replacement. In some cases, it may be possible to retrofit your unit to use a more environmentally-friendly refrigerant. However, if your unit is too old or too damaged, it may be more cost-effective to replace the entire system with a newer, more energy-efficient model.
In conclusion, the phase-out of R22 refrigerant has led to increasing costs for this refrigerant, making it more difficult to find and purchase. If you have a leaking air conditioning unit that uses R22 refrigerant, it’s important to have it inspected by a professional HVAC technician who can provide recommendations for repair or replacement. Ultimately, the best solution for homeowners with R22 refrigerant units is to upgrade to a newer, more energy-efficient air conditioning system that uses a more environmentally friendly refrigerant.
If you are in the O’Fallon or St. Charles County area in Missouri, Stay Cool Climate Control would be happy to go further in-depth as well as present replacement options for homeowners that may find themselves replacing their r22 air conditioning system.