Don’t Be Fooled By R22 Scare Tactics…
As we move into 2020, we are seeing more and more fake scare tactics being used on Tucson consumers regarding the phase out of R22 refrigerant.
Before you consider replacing your air conditioner just because you are using the older R22 refrigerant, please read on and find out the real situation.
Is R22 Illegal or Banned?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency:
“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”
Whatever your air conditioning contractor may be telling you, or what you may hear on radio or TV ads, R22 is not illegal or banned. Your AC/Heat unit has not suddenly become illegal!
What has changed is that, as of January 1st 2020, R22 can no longer be produced or imported to the USA. Typically only older systems use R22, since manufacturers have know the change was coming for some time and have moved to a refrigerant knows as 410A.
The important thing to know – you don’t have to buy a new unit just because your current system uses R22 refrigerant.
Will The Price Of R22 Increase?
There are currently large supplies of R22 in the US, but no one has a good count on how much. This R22 supply can and will be used for refilling your refrigerant if it leaks.
We all know the laws of supply and demand. Many think that as supplies are used up, prices will go through the roof, to the point that it is better to simply buy a new unit.
Again – this is speculation. Right now, at the tail end of 2019, R22 prices are a touch lower than they were in 2018. We have not yet seen a spike in price, and it’s possible we never will. It all depends on how much is available and how long older systems continue to need it.
The takeaway here? Prices may go up in future but we don’t expect an immediate and massive R22 price increase in 2020 here in Tucson.
When Should You Replace Your System?
In the opinion of Rite Way, nothing has changed here. If your unit dies, or is becoming very expensive to keep repairing due to age, we recommend replacing it. To that end we offer free estimates from our project managers, financing if needed and energy efficiency rebates.
If your system is running well there is no need to replace it. Anyone who tells you that you need to does not have your best interests at heart. If you system is running well, but slowly leaking refrigerant, don’t panic – we have R22 for you.
We know there are plenty of R22 rumors and fake news flying around in our industry – if you have any questions at all on the R22 or 410A refrigerant issue, please just give Rite Way a call at (520) 809-6088 and we’ll be happy to help.
For more information from our industry magazine, click here.