When Will R22 Become Obsolete, And What Are The Options For Homeowners And Anyone With R22 Equipment
If you are reading this post you are somewhat aware of the changes coming, but the question is are you ready? Are you one of the many that have been trying to get the most you can out of your old date R22 unit by pumping refrigerant in it every summer, Knowing you have a leak but didn’t want to do a leak test and have it fixed? Are you trying to plan for the future and get the most out of it before it’s too late? Now with the cooler weather among us, you have a little time to decide and get a plan together that works best for you and your family. An important question to ask yourself when making this choice is answering the question, when will R22 become illegal?
When does R22 become illegal in the US: the definitive date
Since you’re reading this article, you probably know that the former industry-standard R22 refrigerant (also known as Freon) is being phased out worldwide due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer.
As per the US Environmental Protection Agency, R22 refrigerants will become illegal in the United States on January 1, 2020. After that R22 refrigerant phase-out date, R22 refrigerant can no longer be manufactured or imported into the US.
What does the R22 phase out timeline mean for you?
After R22 becomes illegal on January 1, 2020, older R22 systems become obsolete and can no longer be repaired when the repair would require adding refrigerant to the system. Except for some simple electrical issues, many types of repairs do require recharging refrigerant. You’ve probably guessed that fixing a refrigerant leak will be out of the question.
If you’ve been getting by with your old leaky system for a while by periodically adding more R22 refrigerant (which we DO NOT recommend by the way), those days are numbered, and now is the time to figure out your plan for replacing the system.
The options for R22 system owners
Here at TLC Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, we believe in being proactive and being transparent. That’s why we have been talking to our customers about this issue for some time now, so they understand the situation and can plan accordingly.
In general, owners of R22 air conditioners will have 3 choices:
- Do nothing until your system breaks down.
- Retrofit (or convert) your old R22 equipment to use an existing refrigerant.
- Replace your system proactively.
Some options won’t work for everyone
However, you should know that all these options are not realistic (or smart) for everyone.
For example, retrofitting is not technically feasible for every system; you’ll need an inspection of your equipment by an expert to determine if it might work for you. And when you have a system with refrigerant leaks, to begin with, a trustworthy expert probably would not recommend spending the money to retrofit.
Also, if you are experiencing problems with your system, doing nothing is not really an option, either, since your comfort conditions are probably unacceptable to you.
For the time being, you can still get R22 and fix a broken system, but the skyrocketing cost of the refrigerant as availability decreases will mean a very expensive repair, and will only get more expensive the closer we get to the date of January 1, 2020, when R22 becomes illegal. Is it worthwhile to pour so much into a system in poor condition that must be replaced in a years’ time (or sooner)? That’s the choice you’ll need to make.
System replacement is a big deal
The last option, and probably what you are hoping to put off, is a system replacement.
Especially for a large commercial customer, it’s a huge expense (not to mention business inconvenience) to replace an extensive system or many multiple units.
However, there is a way to reduce that cost if you replace your AC in 2018. Did you know there is a new tax rule that lets you deduct the ENTIRE COST of HVAC equipment AND installation? That can save you a bundle, but you have to install it by the end of the year.
The cost of system replacement is bad enough when you know it’s coming, but having to do so with no warning is much worse. Even homeowners do not want an issue like this to take them by surprise and end up having to be without air conditioning at the wrong time.
The point is, you don’t want to be replacing your system on an emergency basis. Keep reading to learn why it’s better to be proactive if you can.
Why avoid an emergency air conditioner replacement?
You May Have To Go Quite A While Without Air Conditioning If You Wait Too Long To Replace Your System.
You probably already know that replacing an AC system in the summer will take longer than doing it during the off-season, simply because demand is greater and all available resources are busy on other jobs. As we near the date of January 1, 2020, when R22 becomes illegal, the demand for R22 system replacements are going to skyrocket. If your system finally breaks down in the summer of 2019 (or later), your business or your family might face a considerable wait for a new air conditioning system.
If Your Business Has Multiple Systems To Replace, You Can Come Up With A Plan To Replace Them Over Time And Spread Out The Expense.
Your HVAC company should be able to help you prioritize which systems to replace first, and help you develop a strategy that works for your budget while still getting ahead of the R22 phase-out timeline.
Consider yourself fortunate that you know what’s coming and have time to plan. Many people will be taken by surprise!
At TLC Refrigeration And Air Conditioning, we understand that the R22 refrigerant phase-out is going to cause a lot of headaches and unexpected expenses for system owners, especially businesses. Feel free to reach out to us at any time for advice. We’re here to help.
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