What is the alternative to R-22 refrigerant?

Author: Myrtle Heathcote  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 17, 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 refrigerant can be used in place 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 put R-410A in a R-22 system?

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. This will contaminate the system, and the R22 will not evaporate under the higher suction pressure that R410A requires.

Can I replace R-22 with?

R22 can be replaced with R422B, a cheaper alternative.

Can you use 407C in place of 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 are the alternatives for R22 refrigeration system replacements?

Is 407A 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 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 I use R-32 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).

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?

In 2010, the U.S. stopped the sale of newly manufactured residential air conditioning units and heat pumps that use R-22 because of its particularly harmful impact on the ozone layer when released into the air. On January 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22.

What happens if you accidentally put R-22 in a 410A system?

If you use R-22 in the same system as R-410a, the compressor is going to be trying to work two different fluids through the same coils as both refrigerants respond differently to different mechanical situations. As you might imagine, this isn't going to go well for your air conditioner or heat pump.

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 is the compatible gas for 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.

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.

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.

What freon can I mix with R-22?

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

Is it illegal to refill 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 being phased out?

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 R32 freon legal in the US?

Regulatory - There are no published regulations or granted EPA petitions that state R-32 will be prohibited in the U.S. after 2029. In fact, R-32 is a single component refrigerant, while R-454B is a blend that consists of nearly 70% R-32.

Is 448a a replacement for R-22?

R448A is not a “Drop-in” Replacement

Many retrofits have demonstrated the suitability of most installed R22 valves to operate satisfactorily with R448A. Electronic expansion devices will require a software upgrade to accommodate R448A.

Can I put 407C on top of R-22?

Mixing R22 with R407C

According to the 609 EPA rule, mixing refrigerants is illegal and anybody caught doing so will be heavily fined.

How much is Mo-99 worth?

Assuming a specific activity for Mo-99 of 4.8 × 105 Ci/g, a curie of Mo-99 is worth about $96 and a 6-day curie is worth about $470.

What refrigerant can be used as a direct service drop in substitute for R-22?

Explanation: A refrigerant that can be used as a direct service "drop-in" substitute for R-22 in a small appliance is R-407C. R-407C is a blend of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that has similar thermodynamic properties to R-22, making it suitable for use as a refrigerant in systems designed for R-22.

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