R22 Refrigerant Changes in 2012

In 2012, U.S. government regulations began reducing production of the refrigerant known as R22 by 45 percent. This reduction caused the price of R22 to triple on Jan. 23, 2012.

While production of R22 has been reduced, 25 percent of all condensers sold to the American public in 2011 used R22. This has increased demand for R22 at a time when demand was expected to decrease.

The dry R22 condensers are a loop hole in the regulations that were meant to reduce production of R22 equipment. The loop hole was designed to accommodate apartment complexes, which have undersized line sets. This makes it expensive to change out equipment to the new refrigerant, R410A. However, the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) industry took advantage of the loop hole to sell dry R22 units in a down market to homeowners. Again, this has significantly increased the consumption of R22, and it has contributed to the government speeding up reduction of available R22.

The HVAC industry is trying to increase the recycle rates, which has also been very low. The low recycle rates are due to a number of contributing factors, including the number of old condensing units and evaporator coils that are leaking and having refrigerant added yearly. With the price increase for R22, it may speed up the replacement of some HVAC equipment. However, without a significant increase in the recycle rates of R22 there will be shortages in a few years.

The drop-in replacements for R22 have been accepted only for refrigeration usage―not air conditioners. This is due to the reduction in capacity associated with the drop-in refrigerants available at this time. Also, many of the proposed drop-ins contained hazardous and/or explosive materials making them unacceptable in the U.S. market.

Please be aware of this change and the impact on the market, so you can make informed decisions about your heating and air conditioning comfort systems.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 409-724-1226.