Is R22 refrigerant still available?

Q: I still have a system that uses the old R22 refrigerant.  When did the change to R410A start and is R22 still available?  Should I start looking into changing out my cooling equipment?

Refrigerant 410A was originally created in 1991.  The phase out of R22 refrigerant began as part of the “Clean Air Act” originally passed in 1973 and amended in 1990.  These amendments are what prompted the creation of R410A as an alternative to R22.  The phase out schedule was established in 1993.

2003 marked the start of the phase out schedule.  2010 was the year where R22 could no longer be produced or imported except for use in equipment manufactured before 2010.  January 1, 2010 also marks the date where any new equipment manufactured must use R410A refrigerant.  After this point, manufacturers no longer made R22 specific equipment.  2020 is when there will no longer be any production or import of R22.

The 2010 reduction was a 75% reduction of consumption and production and is about the point where the industry started to feel the impact of the phase out.  As of April 2017, suppliers of R22 refrigerant started to ration the refrigerant.  All HVAC contractors are limited on how much R22 can be purchased per month and the cost has already had a huge increase.

With the phase out schedule complete, we would recommend looking into changing your cooling equipment now.  Any unit that is still using R22 refrigerant will incur a high cost for repair should it leak refrigerant.