R22 PhaseOut Coming Soon – What it Means to You
As you face replacing your Central Air Conditioner this summer, one of the most important things you need to decide on, is which refrigerant to have in your replacement system! R22, the most common refrigerant in todays air conditioning units, is scheduled for phaseout between now and 2020. What exactly does that mean to you, the homeowner, trying to make a buying decision?
To read the full phaseout schedule for R22, head over to the EPA page that is linked at the bottom of this post. I have highlighted the key points below.
Key Dates for R22 Phaseout
- Jan 1, 2010 - Manufacturers can no longer make new equipment with R22!
- Jan 1, 2010 - The only R22 manufactured, can be done so for replacement or use in existing equipment.
- Jan 1, 2020 - No new R22 can be manufactured, and only existing stockpiles or recycled R22 can be used.
What Does this Mean in 2009?
Truly, you won't feel the real impact of R22 being phased for a few years. There is a readily available supply in today's marketplace, which continues to keep the cost in somewhat of a check. The current rate for R22 is approximately $130 / 20 pound bottle, or about $6-$7 per pound. (Not including a service call and diagnosis)
Just 3 years ago, R22 was $60/bottle, if that gives you an idea of the future cost increases!
What Happens in 2010?
The first thing you can EXPECT to happen when Jan 1, 2010 passes... is that your HVAC Contractor is going to double the cost he charges you for each pound of freon put into your system! Expect it! Many of you will ask why and the simple answer... is because they can, and now they have a reason to justify it!
When 2015 comes about, you can expect to pay 5-10 times the 2009 price for R22! The reason this time however is that the manufacturers will no longer have stockpiles of the R22 and they will be charging the Contractors an equal amount!
Should You Buy R410 instead?
If you are faced with replacement today, I would suggest asking your installer for R410 options, and simply weigh the factor into your budget. R410 is not much more expensive than R22 right now, but that trend will quickly level out and by mid 2010, R410 will be cheaper.
Assuming you get a life of 15 years out of a properly maintained central ac unit installed this year, you will be fine for several years. However, if you need 3 pounds of R22 in 7 years... you can expect to pay very well for it!
