What is the best refrigerant replacement for R22?

Author: Prof. Nakia Yost DDS  |  Last update: Sunday, January 18, 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 best Freon to replace R-22?

The primary replacement refrigerant for R-22 is R-410A. R-410A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that does not deplete the ozone layer and has a higher efficiency compared to R-22. As R-22 is being phased out due to environmental regulations, other alternatives that have gained attention include:

What can I use in place of 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.

Is there a refrigerant that can be mixed with R-22?

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

What is the replacement for R-22 refrigerant?

R410A is a near-azeotropic refrigerant composed of 50% R32 and 50% R125, with ODP = 0. It is mainly used as a substitute for R22 refrigerant. It has a higher cooling capacity per unit volume and good heat transfer and flow properties, but its pressure values are about 60% higher than R22 at the same temperature.

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

What gas can I use instead of R-22?

The best replacement for R-22 Freon is usually R-407c. It has a very low loss in capacity (0 – 5%) relative to R-22 and is less expensive than many other R-22 replacement refrigerants. If a system has R22 in it already you cannot use a replacement refrigerant to simply add to the R22.

What happens if you put 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.

What is a drop-in substitute for R22?

R-421A is a drop-in replacement for R22 systems. With this refrigerant there is no need to change the oil. Simply recover the R22 and recharge with R421A. Experiencing R421a problems? Read this guide.

Can you put 407c on top of R22?

Mixing R22 with R407C

According to the 609 EPA rule, mixing refrigerants is illegal and anybody caught doing so will be heavily fined. Although you may this restriction is primarily political we would like to give you a basic education to explain the two most devastating effects of such action: To the environment.

Can I replace R22 with MO99?

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.

Can 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.

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.

Will AutoZone recharge my AC?

An AC leak will lead to warmer air from your vents over time. In most cases this can be fixed with a proven stop leak additive to seal up any leaks. When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone.

What is the retrofit refrigerant for R-22?

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 I recharge R-22 myself?

As of Jan 1 2020, R22 refrigerant has been completely phased out worldwide due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. It is no longer being produced. 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.

Is there a refrigerant that can be mixed with R-22?

EPA regulations prohibit mixing different types of refrigerants.

What refrigerant can I use to top off R-22?

Freon MO99 is the closest capacity match to R-22 compared with most other no-oil change refrigerants.

Is 407C a good 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 is the best replacement freon for R-22?

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. One of the best parts is that MO99 is a direct retrofit.

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.

What can you convert R-22 to?

Indeed, you can take that old supply of R-22 and make it into R-410A. The alterations will affect the air conditioning unit. Although they're both refrigerants, the higher efficiency of R-410A requires an upgrade to the equipment.

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.

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.

Can I convert my R-22 to R-410A?

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.

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