Refrigerant gas, previously known as “freon” (due to threats about the use of the name), is used for most home heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) units in America. The makeup of refrigerant gas includes hydrogen, carbon, fluorine, and chlorine, or HCFC (hydro chlorofluorocarbons).
HCFC was created to take the place of a refrigerant containing carbon, fluorine, and chlorine, or CFC (chlorofluorocarbons). It was argued that HCFC was safer than CFC because HCFC is nonflammable, nontoxic, noncorrosive, and odorless. After a long debate the CFC was finally phased out and HCFC was established as the most common refrigerant.
In the mid 1970’s new studies showed that HCFC was perhaps safer for use in homes but more damaging to the environment. The combination of hydrogen, carbon, fluorine, and chlorine create what is known as a fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbons have been monitored closely over the last 40 years. Thorough research has proven that their damaging effect on the ozone layer is a major threat to the environment. This finding quickly gained the attention of the federal government who stepped in to strictly regulate refrigerant and other HCFC refrigerants.
Who Regulates Refrigerant Gas
Refrigerant gas is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. The EPA works as part of the United States government to develop solutions and create laws to protect the environment. It is the EPA who declared refrigerant gas was an Ozone Depleting Substance which must be “phased out” slowly. To do this properly the EPA joined forces with the international efforts to eliminate ozone depleting substances called the Montreal Protocol.
Montreal Protocol is an international project developed in 1987 to prevent damage to the ozone layer by banning all ozone depleting substances. Most countries around the world began enforcing the project shortly after it was created. The United States got a late start but as of January 1, 2010 is fully involved.
Phasing Out R-22 Refrigerant Gas
As part of the Montreal Protocol the Environmental Protection Agency has begun a Phase Out program which will lead to a U.S. ban on all ozone depleting substances. The targeted ozone depleting substances include all HCFC refrigerants; commonly referred to as HCFC-22 (R-22), and HCFC-142. The Phase Out works by slowly mandating the use of HCFC refrigerant gas to the point of nonexistence.
Changes for 2010
- Production and distribution of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b refrigerant gas will be limited by regulating manufacturers. Some manufacturers will be required to stop production.
- Approved manufactures will be exempt from some or all of the regulating standards.
- Existing HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b refrigerant gas can still be reclaimed to be recycled for reuse.
- All newly manufactured HVAC equipment must function without HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b refrigerant gas. New HVAC equipment will be required to use refrigerant approved by the EPA.
- 75% of refrigerant gas will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and new production.
Scheduled Changes for 2015
- Regulating standards will apply to all manufacturers, distributors, and consumers. No exemptions will exist.
- Only HVAC equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010 will be recharged with HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b refrigerant gas.
- Existing HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b refrigerant gas will still be reclaimed to be recycled for reuse.
- 90% of refrigerant gas will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and new production.
Scheduled Changes for 2020
- All manufacturing and production of HCFC will be banned. No demand for refrigerant gas will be met by production of new refrigerant gas, even for equipment purchased prior to 2010.
- Licensed reclaimers will be permitted by the EPA to recycle existing HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. New regulations for recycling and reuse will be implemented.
- 99.5% of refrigerant gas will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and banning new production.
Scheduled Changes for 2030
- All production, recycling, and distribution of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b must end. This means that no old or new equipment will be charged with HCFC-142b or HCFC-22 refrigerant gas beginning January 1, 2030.
- HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b refrigerant gas must be destroyed adhering to disposal guidelines and strict government law.
- Possessing, using, or distributing HCFC-22 or HCFC-142b refrigerant gas will be against the law.
- 100% of refrigerant gas will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and banning new production.
What This Means for the Consumer
Regulation of Refrigerant Gas in HVAC Units
- Any owner of cooling equipment which uses more than 50lbs of refrigerant gas must repair all found leaks within 30 days of notice. Exceptions to this rule do exist and can be found on the Environmental Protection Agency website.
- All HVAC equipment using more than 2,000 lbs of refrigerant gas must install a special system that will detect leaks immediately. It is law that this equipment be monitored, maintained, and all details be reported.
- As of January 1, 2010 it is illegal to charge any residential hvac equipment manufactured after January 1, 2010 with R-22 refrigerant gas. Units manufactured before that date can still be charged with R-22 if serviceable. If unserviceable, they may be replaced from the manufacturers existing inventory of unused/unsold units if available, of R22 refrigerant units manufactured before January 1, 2010 or the newer units manufactured after January 1, 2010 which utilize R410a refrigerant gas. Units manufactured after January 1, 2010 for residential use may only be charged with R410a refrigerant gas if a leak occurs.
- HVAC units purchased and installed prior to 2010 may be recharged under strict guidelines.
- All activity with refrigerant gas must be recorded and reported to the Environmental Protection Agency by the technician or wholesaler.
Laws for Manufacturing and Purchasing Refrigerant Gas
- Manufacturers of refrigerant gas are governed by strict laws that enforce proper production. These laws limit amounts produced, how refrigerant gas is distributed, and who is authorized to purchase it.
- Under the Environmental Protection Agency Refrigerant Sales Restrictions companies purchasing new or recycled refrigerant gas must be licensed.
- A licensed technician who is certified to service appliances requiring the refrigerant may purchase it if able to present proof that the proper handling equipment is being used.
- All refrigerant purchases must be a minimum of 20lbs.
- Manufacturers, wholesalers, and licensed technicians must all keep records of refrigerant gas. These records must contain names of purchasers, date of purchase, and quantity (in pounds) of purchase.
Refrigerant Disposal and Reuse
- Any HVAC unit that will be destroyed must first have all refrigerant gas reclaimed (collected for recycling).
- A licensed technician with EPA approved equipment must be the one who reclaims the refrigerant gas.
- All refrigerant gas reclaimed from HVAC equipment must immediately be contained and sent to an EPA certified reclaimer. The reclaimer will then recycle the refrigerant gas. Once recycled it may be sold and reused according to law.
By phasing out refrigerant gas over 20 years the Environmental Protection Agency is working to prevent stress of those with HVAC systems requiring the soon to be illegal refrigerant. Many environmental experts are working to put substitutes on the market for a easy transition into a safer alternative to HCFC refrigerants. With many lessons learned the EPA is confident these alternatives will benefit our environment which only helps the consumer. In addition, the substitutes will also quickly grow to meet demand to ensure that no home be left without adequate heat and air.
How Does the R-22 Phase out Affect Consumers?
Availability: R-22 must be recovered and recycled (for reuse in the same system), reclaimed (reprocessed to the same purity levels as new R-22), or destroyed. This could take some time but could also mean that R-22 will not be widely available.
Cost: with dwindling supplies, the consumer should be aware that prices of R-22 may increase. This is just the basic supply-demand economic forces in play.
A Common Sense Approach To Servicing Your System
Along with prohibiting the production of ozone-depleting refrigerants, the Clean Air Act also mandates the use of common sense in handling refrigerants. By containing and using refrigerants responsibly — that is, by recovering, recycling, and reclaiming, and by reducing leaks — their ozone depletion and global warming consequences are minimized. You should always select a reputable dealer that employs service technicians who are EPA-certified to handle refrigerants.
All our technicians are certified to “Section 608 certification” of the Clean Air Act that requires minimizing releases of ozone-depleting chemicals from HVAC equipment.
A Common Sense Approach To Purchasing New Systems
You should consider energy efficiency, along with performance, reliability and cost, in making your decision. And don”t forget that when purchasing a new system, you can also speed the transition away from ozone-depleting R-22 by choosing a system that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants like R-410 which is gaining widespread use for higher efficiency systems.
For more details on the Clean Air Act and to get more educated on the laws, please visit the EPA Site.
Common Myths about R-410A
There have been a number of myths and misconceptions about R-410A refrigerant and air conditioners that use it that we have heard over the years. Some of these are completely untrue, and some are simply exaggerated. Here are some of them.
R-410A costs are much higher
As with any new technology/product, the initial manufacturing process costs are higher. The same is true for the non-ozone depleting refrigerant R410A. With the deadline to change refrigerants, as more suppliers start manufacturing R410A, the cost will come down.
Over the next few years, you will see prices of R22 systems go up as these manufacturers have to switch production to R410A systems that are mandated by law.
R-410A technology is new and it”s better to wait
Air conditioners using R-410A have been available in the U.S. since the mid 1990”s, so they”re not new. They”re new to people who haven”t heard about them, and the fact that there will be no R22 systems going to be manufactured in years to come.
R-410A air conditioners are prone to break down more often
New technology used for R410A systems are designed and built with a heavier gauge metal to provide heavy-duty operation. This has the effect of less vibrations that lead to fewer equipment failures; additionally, this also reduces noise levels.
Manufacturers require their distributors and technicians to be fully trained on R-410A before they can sell, install or service R-410A equipment. As a result, a properly installed and maintained R-410A system is more reliable.
R-410A equipment is unsafe
With over a million R-410A air conditioners operating worldwide, and nearly a decade of field testing and product history, there is no evidence to suggest that R-22 systems are any safer than systems that contain R-410A.
R410A systems are rigorously tested by their manufacturers, as well as by independent safety testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories. Most of the negative comments are from independent installers and equipment suppliers who are not certified and trained by the manufacturer.
