Answers about R-22

The worldwide phase-out of R-22 refrigerant has left several customers with questions about obtaining and using the HCFC refrigerant for servicing their installed systems. While manufacturers will stop producing cooling systems that use R-22 at the end of 2009, building owners can continue to use their installed R-22 equipment, and the refrigerant itself will still be available in limited quantities for the next few years.

That key phrase – “available in limited quantities” – is why many industry experts expect the cost of R-22 for servicing to rise. In fact, R-22 is already more expensive in many cases than R-410A, the refrigerant commonly being used in new HVAC equipment.

Those rising costs are one reason many customers are considering replacing systems that are at least 10 years old with new R-410A units to help control operational costs in the years ahead. The best advice for those customers is to shop for a system from a company that offers a wide range of R-410A units. The larger variety means it’s easier to find exactly the system the customer wants, with their preference of energy efficiency ratings, service features, humidity control options and more.

The unit should also be made by a manufacturer with the ISO-9001 quality designation. This provides proof that the facility employs consistent processes to produce units that meet the industry’s highest standards.

Servicing older R-22 units

Here are three of the most common questions customers have about R-22 systems:

Can recovered R-22 be used to recharge equipment?

In some cases, yes. If the refrigerant is being charged back into the same unit or another unit that has the same owner, the used refrigerant does not need to be reycled or reclaimed. However, the recovered refrigerant cannot be sold to someone other than the original owner. Instead, it must be sent to an EPA-certified reclaimer.

What is the difference between recovered, recycled and reclaimed R-22 refrigerant?

Recovered refrigerant has been removed from air conditioning (or refrigeration) equipment and stored in an external container without any testing or processing.

Recycled refrigerant has been extracted and cleaned for reuse without meeting the more stringent requirements necessary for reclamation.

Reclaimed refrigerant has been reprocessed using specialized equipment and tested to meet high standards for purity.

Can R-410A be used in R-22 equipment?

No. Due to the differences in the refrigerant's characteristics, all units that use R-410A have been redesigned and operate at higher pressures. Therefore, the refrigerants cannot be interchanged. Alternative or “drop-in” refrigerants cannot be used in existing systems without modifying the system’s components (and voiding any warranty).

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: "What Technicians and Contractors Need to Know About Phasing Out HCFC Refrigerants to Protect the Ozone Layer"