Is there a drop-in substitute for R-22?

Author: Jerry Hamill  |  Last update: Thursday, April 23, 2026

The information below will try to dispel some of these myths. Arkema recommends using Forane® 427A (R427A) - The EASY RETROFIT™ for your r-22 retrofit solution. When it comes to drop-ins, the truth is that there are none. The hope of “drop-in” refrigerants has become common over the years.

What is an acceptable drop-in replacement for R-22?

Freon MO99 (R-438A) is the Preferred Alternative for Retrofitting. Freon MO99 is the gold standard for R-22 alternatives and was developed by the same scientists who engineered Freon R-22.

What is the alternative to R-22 refrigerant?

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.

What is a service drop in substitute for R-22?

A refrigerant that can be used as a direct service "drop-in" substitute for R-22 in a small appliance is R-134a. This substance is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that has been adopted as a replacement for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in various refrigeration systems.

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.

R422B Drop In Replacement for R22 Freon HVAC

Can I mix r407 with R-22?

Mixing R22 with R407C or any other refrigerant. According to the 609 EPA rule, mixing refrigerants is illegal and anybody caught doing so will be heavily fined.

Can I put 410A in a R-22 system?

Never mix R-22 and R-410a. Unless of course you are looking to destroy your HVAC system, then, by all means, go live that dream.

Is there an R-22 drop-in?

The information below will try to dispel some of these myths. Arkema recommends using Forane® 427A (R427A) - The EASY RETROFIT™ for your r-22 retrofit solution. When it comes to drop-ins, the truth is that there are none. The hope of “drop-in” refrigerants has become common over the years.

Is 427A a replacement for R-22?

* Forane® 427A is intended as a retrofit in systems originally designed for R-22. Therefore, how the system was running on R-22 will be a guide or target for how the system should run on R-427A. Compared to R-22, expect 0-5 psi lower on the suction side and 0-10 psi higher on the discharge.

Is 407C a replacement for R-22?

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.

What gas can replace R-22 refrigerant?

R417A refrigerant is an HFC mixture that serves as a substitute for R22. It is compatible with traditional lubricants. In most cases, the lubricant type does not need to be changed in the event of retrofitting.

Is MO99 a drop-in 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 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 is the alternative to R-22 refrigerant?

Freon™ MO99 refrigerant is a relatively affordable and eco-friendly alternative for R22 air conditioners. You can use it to revive older systems with little to no refrigerant charge, as well as systems that need replacement components.

Can I still get 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.

What is the new refrigerant 2025?

What refrigerant will replace R-410A in 2025? For whole-home systems, Lennox has chosen 2025 Compliant Refrigerant R-454B due to its excellent performance for ducted systems and zero ozone depletion potential. For mini-splits, we selected R-32, designed to optimize efficiency and reliability in ductless systems.

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 still get R-22 coils?

Due to the negative effects of R-22 on the environment, U.S. consumers and retailers are no longer allowed to produce, import or sell R-22 refrigerant after it was banned about two years ago. While homeowners with R-22 refrigerants are still allowed to use them, there may be a few issues that come with them.

Can you top off R-22 with 422B?

Mixing refrigerants is not recommended. R-22 replacements should not be used to top off R-22 systems. R-22 should be recovered using appropriate equipment and managed according to U.S. EPA guidelines specified in Section 608 of the U.S. Clean Air Act.

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.

Is 421 A compatible with R-22?

We designed R-421A to have a nearly identical pressure-temperature (PT) relationship as R-22. This is a key factor in retrofitting air-conditioners and heat pumps without significant deviations in general operation and TXV metering. With R-421A, there is no unit modification needed -saving you time and money.

Is R-410A an acceptable drop in replacement for R-22?

R-22 uses simple mineral oil, non-toxic, safe, stable, etc. while R-410a uses a somewhat exotic Poly o Ester (POE) oil typically found in jet turbine engines. The refrigerant used MUST match the oil present in the system, which is one reason why you can't replace the R-22 with R410a in a system.

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.

What freon can I mix with R-22?

So… what refrigerant can be mixed with R-22? None. You can't mix refrigerants.

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