Everything You Need to Know About the R22 Phaseout
You may have heard that R22 refrigerant is being phased out of commercial cooling units across the United States and around the world. It is so harmful to the ozone layer that manufacturing it in the US is becoming illegal, and it will no longer be available for maintenance and repair work. Find out when this might affect you, what your options are, and how Larry & Sons can help you keep your HVAC systems in Hagerstown working well through this transition.
When is R22 being phased out?
As of January 1, 2020, it will no longer be legal to produce R22 in the United States. However, these systems won’t become entirely obsolete overnight. Previously-produced and recycled/reclaimed R22 refrigerant will still be available for a while. However, this refrigerant is already getting harder to find as 2020 approaches. As it gets rarer and rarer, it will also get more expensive. At some point, the cost of replacing R22 will become prohibitive.
What does this mean for owners of systems that use R22 refrigerant?
If you have an R22 system and it is working fine, you don’t need to do anything right now. Just be aware that your system may need retrofitting or replacement when it does start to break down. If it just requires electrical repairs, you may be in luck and be able to keep it longer. As soon as it needs more coolant, though, you will need to look at other options.
If your R22 unit isn’t working right now, it’s getting old, or it needs regular refrigerant, you have several options:
- Let your system break down and plan to replace it when it does. On the downside, you may have to deal with a less-than-ideal A/C situation for several years. On the other hand, it gives you time to save up for that new unit.
- Retrofit your system to it can use a different kind of coolant. This is only an option for some systems, but our pros at heating and cooling in Hagerstown can tell you if it would work on your commercial A/C.
- Replace your system. If your system isn’t eligible for retrofitting and it needs coolant, the best option may be a replacement. This is an investment in your future because we can help you get a unit that will last for years to come.
Call us for a consultation about your R22 system.
How can Larry & Sons help?
We are happy to help you with your heating and cooling in Hagerstown, including any work you need to have done on your R22 systems. We will help you retrofit your HVAC systems in Hagerstown or upgrade them as you choose. We are also here to consult with you and help you decide what would be best for you and your business. Call us today to find out more about how the R22 phaseout will affect you and make an appointment to take care of the problem.
