It was used for so long that most people simply refer to any refrigerant as "freon." In fact, the word Freon is one type of product, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) compound known by industry experts as R-22. The EPA began phasing out HCFCs in 2010 and officially banned their production and import in 2020.
On January 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22. But units manufactured in 2009 and earlier still use R-22 today. Its use will eventually be eliminated in the U.S., so all current and future homeowners must be prepared for the transition.
Only certified technicians can order freon and it's usually ordered in the quantity required to service a unit. You don't have to replace the unit but it would probably be cheaper to do so seeing as the price for servicing freon has gone way up due to the new regulations.
Freon has been banned in the U.S. since 2020, but some homes still use Freon-based AC units. Here's what the ban means for these homeowners. The air conditioning refrigerant Freon has been banned in the U.S. since January 2020, prompting major changes in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.
Limited quantities of reclaimed R-12 is still available for service of installed equipment. A wide variety of R-12 retrofit blends are available.
Or, if you'd like to tackle the job yourself, AutoZone has all the tools and refrigerant to service your R-134A or R-12 vehicle.
An R-12 Refrigerant Replacement
Freon Hot Shot™ 2 (R-417C) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for these refrigerants. Freon Hot Shot™ 2 can be used in most applications to retrofit systems currently using R-12 or R-12 blends, including: R-401A. R-401B.
If you put the newer freon in right away, your unit will rupture due to the force. However, you can convert your AC unit to handle R410A. You'll need to replace the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and likely the refrigerant tubing. If you replace all of this, your old unit will work fine with the new freon.
One of the earliest and most widely adopted Freon alternatives is R-410A. R-410A has been used in many modern air conditioning units, including central air systems, mini-splits, and packaged terminal air conditioners.
R22 refrigerant is illegal to import and manufacturer in the U.S. But it's not illegal for anyone to buy R22 freon. And it's not illegal to sell it IF you have a license. As long as the stocks last, you will be able to continue purchasing R22 from specialized dealers and form your air conditioning company.
An AC leak will lead to warmer air from your vents over time. In most cases this can be fixed with a proven stop leak additive to seal up any leaks. When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone.
If you need refrigerant for your air conditioner, you'll need to contact a professional heating and cooling technician. Under EPA regulations, only a certified professional can recharge your home's HVAC system.
Running Your Air Conditioner without Refrigerant
It is a critical part of your air conditioning system, and without it, your air conditioner will not cool. In fact, by running your air conditioner when it lacks coolant, you could end up with costly repairs.
All Freon production is now banned in the United States, and it's also illegal to import the product into the country.
New EPA Refrigerant Regulations 2025
In 2025, the goal is to eliminate all refrigerants with a high Global Warming Potential. In practice, this means that all new AC units must use refrigerants with a GWP rating of 750 or less.
Tradewater is the only climate-focused refrigerant buyback program in the world. Get paid to fight climate change by selling your old refrigerants, like Freon, to our EPA-certified technicians.
Adding Freon to an AC unit is not a typical DIY project. It requires working with a dangerous chemical, a pressurized tank, and intricate equipment. Any part of the process going wrong can permanently damage your AC unit or cause injury to yourself. Contact a local HVAC professional for this type of service.
Freon, a brand name for refrigerants used in air conditioners, was introduced in 1930 and officially banned in the United States on January 1, 2020. Also known as R-22, it's a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that studies found to be harming the environment.
The recent phase-out of R-22 (also known by its popular brand name: Freon®) that occurred January 1, 2020 was years in the making. While we still service HVAC equipment using Freon, most residential HVAC units are now using Puron® or R-410A, a type of hydrocarbon refrigerant without the chlorine.
Generally speaking, a properly maintained air conditioner can expect its refrigerant to last around 10-15 years or longer—depending on usage frequency and environmental wear and tear. To ensure your refrigerant lasts as long as possible, regular maintenance is key.
As mentioned earlier, Freon costs about $125 – $150 per pound. Most homeowners will pay in the range of $200 to $400 for a refill, depending on the type and size of their HVAC unit. If you own a larger r22 unit, you may have to spend $600 or more.
R-22 refrigerant costs $125 per pound on average, but can range from $50 to $250 per pound. Keep in mind you cannot purchase R-22 refrigerant without an HVAC pro.
According to its manufacturer, Chemours, use of R-1234yf has grown so much since the refrigerant replaced the long-established R-134a that it's now used in 95% of new cars sold in the U.S. An estimated 220 million cars on global roads are also using it.
R-410 refrigerant costs $60 per pound on average, but can range from $40 to $75. Keep in mind you cannot purchase R-410A refrigerant without an HVAC pro. As of mid-2024, R-410A refrigerant prices range from $40 to $75 per pound.
While use of CFC-12 in new vehicles has been banned since 1994, some vehicles built before then may still use it if they have not already been retrofitted to a non-ozone depleting refrigerant and they are still on the road.