R-22 is a refrigerant that is often used in air- conditioning equipment. 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.
In 1987 an agreement called the Montreal Protocol was signed to begin the worldwide phase out of ozone-depleting CFCs and in 1992 HCFCs were added. In 2010, manufacturers were no longer able to produce new equipment designed with R22 and at the end of 2020, production and import of R22 will be eliminated.
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.
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.
In the first half of 2024 we'll phase out our R-410A dedicated models and introduce -01 refrigerant versatile models, compatible with both R-410A and R-454B refrigerants.
Starting in 2025, the HVAC industry will shift toward using refrigerants with a lower GWP. Among the most discussed replacements are R-32 and R-454B. These refrigerants perform similarly to traditional refrigerants like R-410A but with a significantly lower environmental impact.
ACHR NEWS: As a mildly flammable refrigerant, R-454B can't be retrofitted into existing R-22 and R-410A systems.
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.
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.
Size of the HVAC Unit
Since an air conditioner uses an average of 2 to 4 pounds of refrigerant per ton, a 3-ton AC will need an average of 9 pounds. With the cost of R-22 refrigerant increasing each year, it can cost a pretty penny to recharge larger systems that still use the refrigerant.
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.
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.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States does not permit the mixing of different refrigerants. However, it is known from experience in Europe that the unintended mixing of RS-44b with R22 will not generate higher pressure readings, loss of efficiency or component damage.
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.
If your unit uses R-22, it's probably at least ten years old. The average lifespan for an air conditioner or heat pump is about 10-15 years, so it might be time to consider replacing your unit anyway. Older units generally have lower efficiency and a greater risk of breakdown.
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.
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.
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.
R-454B is the new refrigerant in 2024. By 2025, the EPA's required phaseout of R-410A will be in full effect, with production, importation, and distribution no longer allowed. HVACR businesses must be evaluating their current choices in coolant and ready to make the jump.
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.
Set to take effect on January 1, 2025, this initiative will replace R-410A with more environmentally-friendly options like R-454B and R-32, depending on the manufacturer. The goal is to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants widely used in homes.
R-454B functions better with POE oils in compressors, which improves its heat transfer efficiency. It also has a lower discharge temperature, which reduces mechanical stress on compressors over time, leading to less wear and tear on equipment compared to R410A.
The different types of refrigerants are not meant to be mixed. The refrigerant charge must be optimized by using the refrigerant's respective pressure-temperature chart.
ComStar's RS-53 (R470A) is the world's only drop-in retrofit replacement for existing R410a systems.