Is there a substitute for R-22?

Author: Johann Gaylord  |  Last update: Saturday, April 4, 2026

Freon MO99 is the gold standard for R-22 alternatives and was developed by the same scientists who engineered Freon R-22. The benefits of Freon MO99 include: Capacity — The ability of Freon MO99 to heat or cool a given space is closer to Freon R-22 than any other refrigerant on the market.

What is the replacement for R-22 refrigerant?

The industry-wide phaseout of R-22 to meet mandates to reduce high ozone-depleting potential (ODP) refrigerants depends on alternative options such as Freon™ MO29. This nonflammable HFC alternative offers a host of benefits that include: Cost-effective retrofits (and easier retrofitting) than R-404A, R-507, and R-407C.

Can I replace R-22 with?

R22 can be replaced with R422B, a cheaper alternative.

Can you replace R-22 with R134a?

Nope it won't work with a different gas. The compressor will pump it fine. The metering device which changes the liquid to a gas won't work properly with the different refrigerant.

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.

R22 conversion comparisons. What is the best substitute?

What can I use instead of R-22?

Freon MO99 is the gold standard for R-22 alternatives and was developed by the same scientists who engineered Freon R-22. The benefits of Freon MO99 include: Capacity — The ability of Freon MO99 to heat or cool a given space is closer to Freon R-22 than any other refrigerant on the market.

How much does it cost to convert from 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.

Can you still get R-22 Freon?

R-22 is no longer produced or imported into the United States, but it still exists inside some older HVAC units. If your unit uses R-22 and runs out, HVAC technicians may still have access to an existing recycled or recovered supply of this refrigerant and can service your unit as normal.

Can I use R32 instead of R-22?

As a solution, there are two alternative refrigerants used as substitute refrigerant for R22, namely R290 and R32. The R290 is widely used as working fluid in A/C system of Europe countries; meanwhile in Japan and South East countries, R32 is utilized as substitute refrigerant for R22 and R410A (Yu et al., 2010).

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.

Can R-407C be used to replace 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.

Can R-22 and 410A be mixed?

No, you cannot. To make a short story long, R410A and R22 are refrigerants. They are both good refrigerants and they both work, but they have to be charged in the system at different pressures. R410A is a higher pressure system and R22 is a lower pressure system.

Is R-22 refrigerant illegal?

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.

Can you mix R-22 with replacement R-22?

With the R22 phase out in 2020 due to its environmental impact, this is a common question for those looking to upgrade their system or change the refrigerant in their system. The answer is no, refrigerants should not be mixed.

What is a refrigerant blend replacing R-22 in a new residential and commercial air conditioning application?

As Freon was phased out, new HVAC systems began using a refrigerant known as Puron® or R-410A, an HFC. More efficient and less harmful to the environment, R-410A has been in use since its introduction in 1996 and is found in most of today's modern HVAC systems.

How much is R-22 per pound?

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. U.S.

Why is R32 refrigerant banned in the USA?

Changes to the Dangerous Goods Legislation, effective in 2021, has new categories for A2L refrigerants. R32 is a synthetic greenhouse gas. If released to the atmosphere it can contribute to climate change. R32 is a flammable refrigerant.

What can I use instead of R22 refrigerant?

R410A is the most common, but others include R134a, R407C and R407A. These refrigerants cool interior spaces just as effectively as R22 with no ozone depleting characteristics and relatively low Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Can I replace R22 with R-410A?

Since R410A refrigerant is charged under higher pressure, charging an R22 system with it will increase the force within the coolant lines. The pressure can become high enough for parts of the system to rupture. At the very least, leaks will occur. Mixing refrigerants is not an option either.

How long will R-410A be available?

R-410A PHASE-DOWN TIMELINE

We will reach a 70% decrease by 2029. In 2034, we will see 80% less R-410A being produced than it is today, and the phase-down will end in 2036 with another 5% reduction.

Can R22 be replaced with R134a?

For example, when replacing R22 with R134a, there are many problems that cannot be replaced directly; the cooling power of R134a is 60% lower than that of R22, which means that the condenser of the system must work overtime to achieve the same cooling capacity. R134a is not good for rubber parts and can cause leaks.

What is the new refrigerant for 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 you use old R-22 lines for 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.

Why is 410A so expensive right now?

Regulatory Changes: As the phase-out continues to restrict production levels and importation, the R-410A price will likely increase. Manufacturing Costs: Fluctuations in the cost of raw materials and manufacturing can also influence the price of refrigerants.

Can R-454B be retrofitted into existing R-410A or R-22 systems?

ACHR NEWS: As a mildly flammable refrigerant, R-454B can't be retrofitted into existing R-22 and R-410A systems.

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