Can you replace R-22 with another refrigerant?

Author: Donnie Gulgowski  |  Last update: Saturday, August 16, 2025

No 400-Series blend is a direct replacement for R-22. Mixing R-22 with a 400-Series blend, or mixing multiple 400-Series blends together, creates a new, untested refrigerant with unproven results. Use of alternative refrigerants voids all manufacturer warranties.

What refrigerant can I substitute for R-22?

R422D is quickly becoming a popular substitute for R22. R422D does not require changing out the oil! To learn more about R422D visit our landing page at http://stores.johnstonesupply.com/88/ and click on July's News "U" Can Use.

Can you replace a R-22 unit with R-410A?

410A compressors are totally incompatible with R22 they are mechanically designed different and have different oil the air handler can be used but the metering device, either piston or TXV needs to be changed out to one rated for 410A and system needs flushed and purged out new filter dryers and the works.

Can you put 407C in a R-22 unit?

Using these retrofit guidelines, many R-22 systems can be retrofitted for use with Freon™ 407C in air conditioning, heat pump applications, and refrigeration applications to allow existing equipment to continue to operate safely and efficiently, even after R-22 is no longer available.

Can you flush R-22 to R-410A?

When you replace an air conditioner or heat pump and upgrade from R-22 to R-410A, the ideal solution is to replace your refrigerant lines. This is because the mineral oil used in R-22 systems is not compatible with the new R-410A refrigerant and oil.

Best replacement for r22 refrigerant gas in refrigeration and air-conditioning

Can you put different refrigerant in an R-22 system?

Never mix refrigerants, or "top off" a system running on R-22 with a 400-Series blend. Once the R-22 is removed and the new refrigerant is charged into the unit, the system can be topped off with the new refrigerant.

How much does it cost to convert R-22 to R-410A?

How much will an R-22 to R-410A conversion cost? The actual cost will depend on many things, including where you live, but most of the time R-22 conversions start at around $2,000 and go up from there. The higher end of that range is somewhere around $4,500 to $4,600.

Is r407a a drop in replacement for R-22?

R-407A is a close match to R-22's capacities and flow rates, making it well suited as a retrofit for R-22 in supermarket and food storage applications. Additionally, R-407A is one of the more energy efficient R-22 retrofit options available for refrigeration applications.

Is R-407C banned?

R407C will, however, be phased out in 2025 in systems with less than 3kg charge. R410A air conditioning systems with charges greater than 3kg – including most VRF applications – are not affected. Systems with less than 3kg charge will be banned from 2025, with equipment using R32 an alternative option.

Are 407C and R-22 pressures the same?

Heating mode The compressor pressure ratio of R-407C was 0.7% to 9.3% higher than R-22 for the two heating mode test conditions.

How to switch from R-22 to 410A?

Although they're both refrigerants, the higher efficiency of R-410A requires an upgrade to the equipment. For example, plan to replace the refrigerant tubing, the evaporator, condenser, and compressor. Other components might also need updates.

What would happen if R-410A was added to an R-22 system?

A NJ Tech Explains. The answer: No. Putting R-410A refrigerant into an AC unit that was designed to use R-22 will cause the unit to die soon after it tries to run.

What has the refrigerant R-22 been replaced with?

Since 2010, the most common R-22 replacement was R-410A, a refrigerant without the ozone-depleting qualities of R-22. Read this article on the refrigerant transition for a more thorough explanation of the reasoning and science behind the change.

What happens if you put R134a in a R-22 system?

No, the compressor will fail. These two refrigerants have very different properties. One of R22 and R134a is high pressure and the other is low pressure. They don't mix chemically and don't have the same boiling point, leading to inefficiencies and eventual compressor failure.

Can I still buy R-22 refrigerant?

As of January 1, 2020, production and import of R22 refrigerant will be illegal in the United States. Of course, continued use of your air conditioner (AC) or heat pump system using R22 refrigerant is allowed.

Is R-22 and R-410A interchangeable?

The two types of refrigerants are not interchangeable within a system, so you want to ensure you choose the right one before purchasing your system.

Why is R-22 banned?

Because R-22 depletes the ozone layer, production and import was further limited in 2010. In 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced or imported. After 2020, only recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies of R-22 will be available. The production (not use) of R-22 is being phased out.

Can you replace R-22 with 407C?

Features and Benefits. Freon™ 407C has been a popular R-22 replacement because of its properties, which include: Similar cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and pressures as R-22 in systems. An ability to be topped off after a leak, multiple times, with minimal impact on system performance.

Is MO99 a direct replacement for R-22?

Yes. The mass flow rate and operating pressures of Freon™ MO99 are the closest of all the mineral oil compatible replacement products and will likely perform adequately in an existing R-22 system with a capillary tube expansion device.

What can I use instead of R-22?

An R-22 Refrigerant Replacement for Direct Expansion Refrigeration. Freon™ MO29 (R-422D) refrigerant is a low-toxicity, non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for R-22.

Can I replace R-22 with?

If you do have to replace the gas in your air con, you should use an approved hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) alternative. The most common HFC refrigerants used as a replacement for R22 include: R134a. R404a.

Can you replace R-22 with r438a?

Among those products is Freon™ MO99™ (R-438A), a retrofit refrigerant for R-22 that does not require an oil change. Freon™ MO99™ works with: Residential and commercial air conditioning systems (rooftop and indoor packages units, direct expansion chillers, split systems)

Can you use the same line set from R-22 to 410A?

To retrofit an R-22 system with R-410A system your line set must not be more than 25-50 feet in total distance. If the line set is longer than this, you will have to replace the line set with larger lines.

Will R-410A be phased out?

The impending phaseout of R-410A, a widely used refrigerant in HVAC systems, marks a huge shift for homeowners and the HVAC industry. Set to take effect on December 31, 2024, this change is driven by global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with environmental regulations.

How much is a pound of R-22?

R-22 refrigerant prices range from $90 to $250 per pound. Since you'll need between 6 and 12 pounds to refill a home AC, costs can reach between $660 and $2,400 for a refill of R-22 refrigerant.

Previous article
What is the difference between a trench fill foundation and a strip foundation?
Next article
Why won't my outside AC unit turn on?