Freon is one of the two types of the refrigerant, or the cooling agent in your HVAC system. It’s also known as R22. The other type of refrigerant is known as R410A, sometimes also called Puron.

The difference between the two types of refrigerants is that R410A is better for two reasons: it operates at a higher pressure, which cools your air more efficiently, and it’s better for the ozone layer. Since R22 causes significant damage to the ozone layer, it is being phased out worldwide.

As per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on January 1, 2020, manufacturing or importing R22 refrigerant became illegal in the United States.

Here’s what the R22 ban may mean to you, and what you can do:

If your central air conditioning or heat pump system was manufactured before 2010, your unit most likely uses R22. Since R22 is no longer produced, the price to replace it for your unit will likely be extremely high.

Most home AC units hold anywhere from 5-20 pounds of refrigerant, and can only have one type of coolant because R410A functions at a higher pressure than R22. If the refrigerant is at less than full capacity, its ability to cool properly is limited. This means that if you have a unit that is R22 specific, you cannot refill it with R-410A.

Now, since the supply of R22 decreased significantly since the phase out started, and now with the manufacturing ban in effect, you can only get recycled R22. If you are trying to maintain an R22 unit by replacing the refrigerant, and you need to do it several times, in the long run you might end up paying twice what it would cost to purchase a new R410A system.

The price of a new R410A system will depend on the size and SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).

Other reasons to upgrade your heat pump or central air conditioning system would be that newer systems are more efficient and save money on bills. And your utility company may even offer rebates available for the purchase of new, more efficient equipment.

If you have been hoping to avoid replacing your older R22 air conditioner, especially if you know your unit has a refrigerant leak, now is the time to strongly consider investing in a new system that uses R410A refrigerant. If in doubt as to whether or not your unit uses R22, contact us and we’ll be able to assist you.

Place your trust in UGI Heating, Cooling & Plumbing’s skilled and licensed HVAC contractors to ensure that your cooling system is operating at its best, and if you need a new one – we’ll make sure you’re getting the right system based on your budget, environment, and home needs.

Learn more about the efficiencies of new systems and SEER ratings, and which rebates and flexible financing is available.

Keep Comfortable All Year Long – for Air Conditioning System repair, AC replacement, heat pumps, and other cooling solutions make an appointment today with UGI Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, the leading HVAC company serving in Lehigh Valley PA, Harrisburg PA, Lancaster PA, Reading PA: 1-833-980-3496.