Yes, you can buy R-22 (Freon), but it is heavily restricted. Under EPA regulations, you must hold a Section 608 technician certification to legally purchase it. It cannot be legally purchased by the general public.
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.
Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians certified under the Section 608 or Section 609 technician certification programs, where individuals may only purchase refrigerant consistent with the appliances covered by their certification.
If you're interested in learning how to refill R22 in your air conditioner, it is important to know that this is not something a homeowner can do on their own. Due to complexity, safety concerns, training and licensing required we do not recommend doing this without having a trained professional onsite.
It is possible to use a different type of refrigerant inside an R-22 system. There are “drop-in” refrigerants that serve exactly this purpose. When someone has an R-22 leak, it's possible to remove all the R-22 from the system and replace it with a drop-in refrigerant.
New production and importation of R-22 (Freon) were banned in the U.S. in 2020. Today, only recycled or reclaimed R-22 is legally available. You can continue to use existing equipment, but supplies of recycled R-22 are steadily dwindling, and it will eventually become entirely unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
The best replacement for R-22 depends on your system's configuration. Because R-22 is fully phased out, the most common drop-in substitutes are R-438A (MO99), R-407C, and RS-44b (R-453A). These allow for system retrofits, though complete system replacement is often recommended for aging units.
Whether you flip an R22 tank upside down depends entirely on what you are trying to do with the system. Because R22 is a single-component refrigerant (not a blended mix like R410A), it can safely be dispensed as either a liquid or a vapor.
Yes, MO99 (also known as R-438A) is a direct, "no-oil-change" drop-in replacement for R-22. It is specifically engineered to replace R-22 in residential and commercial air conditioning, heat pumps, and refrigeration systems.
The short answer is — not legally. Homeowners without EPA certification are not authorized to purchase or recharge systems with r410a refrigerant. Doing so could violate federal law and void manufacturer warranties on your HVAC system.
Comstar RS-44b is the closest, market available drop-in replacement for R22 that requires no oil changes and no system changes.
R-22 is extremely expensive because it has been legally phased out. Driven by federal environmental regulations, skyrocketing supply chain costs, and contractor labor rates, prices range from $100 to $300+ per pound, meaning a standard refill can cost between $800 and $2,000+.
$139.00.
Since Freon MO99 is the closest capacity match to R-22, compared with most of the other no-oil change refrigerants, it will reach the desired set point before other, lower-capacity refrigerants. With Freon MO99, residents are unlikely to know a different refrigerant is even being used.
Many Amish homes are built with plenty of windows to help circulate the air and bring in the cooler overnight temperatures. They open the windows on the top floors to help the heat escape while the family retreats to the lower grounds within their homes for comfort.
R-22 is a pure, single-component refrigerant, meaning you can technically add it to an air conditioning system as either a gas (vapor) or a liquid.
No, R-22 refrigerant does not go bad, expire, or wear out over time. Because AC units are sealed, the refrigerant is continuously recycled and, under ideal conditions, never needs to be replaced. However, if your system is low on R-22, it is due to a leak, not because the refrigerant has expired.
Yes, R-22 (Freon) is still available for servicing older HVAC and refrigeration units, but it can no longer be manufactured or imported in the U.S. Today, technicians rely entirely on recycled, reclaimed, and existing stockpiled supplies, which makes it very expensive.
A2L refrigerants, the new refrigerants for 2026, will replace R-410A in new systems. A lot about A2L refrigerants is explained in their name: The “A” means low toxicity. The “2L” is a safety classification, indicating it is mildly flammable.
You cannot just switch refrigerants because R410-A and R-22 have different chemical properties. R410-A operates at a higher pressure. If you put R410-A into an R-22 system, the parts will rupture due to the increased force. You can convert your current system to one that runs on R-410A, but the cost will be high.
A 30-pound cylinder of R-22 refrigerant is generally worth between $500 and $1,200 to purchase wholesale, and up to $2,400 to $4,500 if bought directly from a service company during a home repair.
The "best" R22 replacement depends on whether you are doing a drop-in retrofit (using existing equipment) or upgrading the whole system. For retrofits, the top choices are R407C for maximum efficiency and R422D for easier compatibility. For long-term viability, replacing the system entirely with an R454B or R32 system is recommended.
As of January 1, 2020, the United States banned the use of the R22 refrigerant, commonly known as Freon.