The Montreal Protocol adopted by the EPA in 1987 sought to phase out ozone depleting refrigerants such as CFCs and HCFCs. HCFCs include R22, commonly used in air conditioning units before 2010. By 2020, all production of R22 will end due to its ozone depleting properties. With limited remaining quantities of R22, prices have risen significantly. As an alternative, R407C can be used as a temporary substitute for R22 in existing units until replacement with the ozone-safe R410A is required, providing cost savings over replacing units immediately.

1. R22 Phase-Out: What is it?
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• R22 is a refrigerant used in air
conditioning units that contributes to
depletion of the Ozone Layer.
• The U.S Enviornmental Protection Agency
(EPA) adopted the Montreal Protocol in
1987 which bans R22 use by 2020.
• The United States government allocates a
decreasingly finite amount of R22 every year
• R22 will be replaced by eco-friendly R410A
• R410A will NOT work in a R22 unit.
• R22 can be substituted with R407C until your unit is due for regular
replacement to a R410A unit.
R407C vs. R22 Savings
R22
Pounds: _______________
Rate per lb: $95 (labor + materials)
Price: $________________
R407C
Pounds: _______________
Rate per lb: $44 (labor + materials)
Price: $________________
*Due to U.S. Government regulations, R22 quantities are very limited to unavailable

2. R22 Phase-Out
The Montreal Protocol was adopted by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency in 1987 to restrict the production and consumption of products that negatively
affect the ozone layer. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used for air conditioning units were the
main concern of the Montreal Protocol. CFCs contribute to ozone layer depletion and as a
result, countries stopped production in 1995. Air conditioning units were then powered by
HCFCs which are less harmful than CFCs, but still contribute to depletion of the ozone layer.
Now, the Montreal Protocol seeks to phase out HCFCs by 2020 to protect the ozone layer.
HCFCs include the popular refrigerant R22, also known as Freon, used in air
conditioning units produced prior to 2010. After 2010, it became illegal to charge air
conditioning units with R22 unless the unit was produced prior to 2010. By 2020 all R22
production will end and only small quantities found in left over units will remain. Production
of R22 has already begun to slow resulting in a perfect economics 101 example of supply
and demand. There is a finite amount of R22 so prices are rising. In 2011 the average retail
price per pound of R22 was $40-$50*. Today, the retail price per pound averages $90-$110*!
The fixed amount of R22 left is depleting quickly and will leave owners of R22 air conditioning
units out of luck when needing service. R22 will be replaced with an environmentally friendly
refrigerant called R410A. This refrigerant will NOT work in units that currently use R22. This
means that in order to use the EPA approved R410A, you will need a new air conditioning unit.
So, what can you do? The guaranteed remedy would be the replace your unit with an R410A
compatible unit. Because this is not the best money saving choice, there is another option.
The refrigerant R407C can be used as a temporary stand-in for R22 until your unit is due
for permanent replacement. In order to use R407C instead of replacing your unit, an air
conditioning technician will have to remove all R22 and recharge the unit with
the replacement R407C. This may be a larger cost upfront, but will save you
money in the long run. With R22 retail price currently averaging $90-$110* per
pound, R407C is an easy money saver at an average retail price of $40* per pound.
This legislation may seem daunting, but fear not R22 unit owners. You will not have to
replace your units. R407C is a low cost solution to a possibly expensive problem. By
substitutingR22withR407C,youwillbeabletouseyourexistingunituntilitrequiresreplacement.
Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning is available to answer questions you may have
concerning this refrigerant transition. Contact us at 972-235-6600 or on the web at Siriuspac.com.
*prices include labor and refrigerant