R22 refrigerant is a chemical used in both air conditioners and heat pumps that is used to cool your home. On January 1st, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production of R22 because of it’s harmful impact on the ozone layer when released into the air. Click here for more info on the R22 ban. Although it is no longer produced or imported into the United States, it still exists inside some older HVAC units. So, what should you do if you have an R22 unit?
How to Tell if You Have R22 Refrigerant In Your Unit
If your unit is over 15 years old, it is likely using R22 refrigerant. There is a sticker on your air conditioner/heat pump that should say what refrigerant it uses. The type of refrigerant will be under HCFC. HCFC is short for hydrochlorofluorocarbon, which refers to the gas in aerosols. If it says R22, you’ve got R22 freon in your unit. If your unit seems to be running just fine for now, take advantage of its remaining life. However, if it is leaking or cooling how it should, consider your options. You can either try to fix the leak and do a refrigerant changeout, or replace the unit altogether.
Repair Options
There are a few ways to tell if your unit is leaking refrigerant. This can be indicative of a few options:
- Inefficient cooling/higher cooling bills
- A/C unable to keep temperature down
- Ice on evaporator coil
- Bubbling or hissing sound
- Humid air inside
If you suspect your unit is leaking, we recommend calling a professional HVAC company, like Poormans, for a second opinion. The professionals can determine whether or not the leak can be found and sealed, and how to replace the refrigerant. If the leak can be fixed, it will likely be low on refrigerant and need some more. But with an R22 unit, a full refrigerant changeout can be costly.
Refrigerant Swap
In order to swap out an old refrigerant for a newer one, the system will need vacuumed out and pumped down. This is to ensure there is nothing remaining in the unit and freons won’t be mixed. The labor to go through this process can also take a while. From finding the leak, to the vacuum and recharge, it could be about 4-6 hours of labor. And the cost of the refrigerant on top of that only adds to the bill. This is why many customers opt for a whole new unit instead.
Replace Options
The cost to repair an old unit should not be considered without considering the cost of replacement. Since leak detection and refrigerant changeout is costly and labor-intensive, and the unit is old anyways, most people consider a full system replacement. This may be the wise decision in the long run, because it may not be worth it to invest a couple thousand dollars into an old unit. Not all repairs are guaranteed, but a full replacement comes with warranties, which always appeals to a new buyer.
Whether you choose to repair or replace, it’s always good to get a professional opinion before doing so. Poormans Heating and Air can diagnose, repair, recharge and replace. So trust a reliable HVAC company like Poormans for your next project.