Why Did The U.S Ban R22 Refrigerant? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned R22 freon in the country. Why? R22 contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer – which absorbs the ultraviolet radiation from the sun and protects us from its harmful effects – and the ecosystem in general.
The EPA began phasing out HCFCs in 2010 and officially banned their production and import in 2020. As Freon was phased out, new HVAC systems began using a refrigerant known as Puron® or R-410A, an HFC.
You can't get Freon anywhere, other than a private purchase from someone who has a can or a stock left over from when Freon was legal. Freon, which in fact is a registered trademark, has been illegal to manufacture or sell for decades.
All Freon production is now banned in the United States, and it's also illegal to import the product into the country.
R22 refrigerant is illegal to import and manufacturer in the U.S. But it's not illegal for anyone to buy R22 freon. And it's not illegal to sell it IF you have a license. As long as the stocks last, you will be able to continue purchasing R22 from specialized dealers and form your air conditioning company.
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.
Unfortunately, due to Freon's negative impact on the environment and ozone, it is no longer in production. An HVAC professional will likely still be able to find Freon for your older AC unit, but new units use other types of refrigerants, like the more favorable R-410A refrigerant.
Freon, a brand name for refrigerants used in air conditioners, was introduced in 1930 and officially banned in the United States on January 1, 2020. Also known as R-22, it's a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that studies found to be harming the environment.
Can I still get R-22 refrigerant? R-22 is no longer produced or imported into the United States, but it still exists inside some older HVAC units.
R-22 refrigerant costs $125 per pound on average, but can range from $50 to $250 per pound. Keep in mind you cannot purchase R-22 refrigerant without an HVAC pro.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has since added R-134A to its list of greenhouse gases, declaring definitively that this refrigerant is a poor choice for the future of the planet and its inhabitants.
R-32 is another refrigerant gaining popularity as a replacement for Freon. It has a lower GWP than R-410A, making it a better choice for the environment. R-32 is also highly efficient, which means it can reduce energy consumption and help lower utility costs.
Limited quantities of reclaimed R-12 is still available for service of installed equipment. A wide variety of R-12 retrofit blends are available.
New EPA Refrigerant Regulations 2025
In 2025, the goal is to eliminate all refrigerants with a high Global Warming Potential. In practice, this means that all new AC units must use refrigerants with a GWP rating of 750 or less.
Air conditioner and heat pump manufacturers are rolling out new refrigerants to comply with EPA guidelines. Starting in January 2025, no new HVAC systems will use R-410A refrigerant. Instead, most residential systems will use either R-32 or R-454B refrigerant, both of which have a comparably lower environmental impact.
Enforcement actions range from civil fines to criminal prosecutions. Enforcement is performed within EPA by the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. If you suspect or witness unlawful releases of ODS refrigerant or other violations of CAA regulations, report an environmental violation to EPA.
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).
The sales restriction is established by EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F ) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. Only EPA-certified technicians are allowed to purchase ozone-depleting substances (ODS) or non-ozone depleting substitutes used as refrigerants, with limited exceptions.
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.
R22 (also known as HCFC-22) is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) once widely used as a refrigerant. If your home or office AC is over 10 years old, it's probably using R22 freon. However, R22 Freon is banned in the U.S. today. If your AC system uses R22 refrigerant, you might be worried about how this may affect you.
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.
So, you can't buy Freon from Home Depot for your HVAC needs. The good news is that you can still get it, though. At Lowery, we've still got you covered. Lowery will keep you cool-headed as temperatures (and Freon costs) rise!
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.
Puron, also known as R-410A; Suva; Forane; and EcoFluor, was approved by the EPA as a substitute for Freon. It's much easier on the ozone than Freon. Additionally, Puron systems operate under higher pressure and use less energy overall than Freon systems, further increasing their environmental friendliness.