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R-22 Refrigerant Phase Out

R-22 Allocation

R-22 Supply Phase Out: The Next Step Down in 2010 is Fast Approaching

Phase Out Schedule

This chart overviews the phase out of HCFC rights between 1998 and 2020.
Note: Limited HCFC 123 and HCFC 124 service supply will be allowed through year 2030.

What you should know and what you can do:

  • U.S. EPA limits the amount of newly produced R-22 available.
  • In 2010, the HCFC allocation controlling the supply of R-22 will be reduced by at least 46%.
  • Demand for R-22 refrigerant is at historically high levels
R22

Demand

Today’s demand for R-22 is higher than what was expected in1998 when the phase out of R-22 started. While a number of non-ozone depleting compounds have been available for many years now, R-22 equipment is still the bestseller. New equipment and an ever growing installed base are driving market demand for R-22 to historically high levels.

Rising Costs

The phase out of R-22 discourages producers from investing in new and more efficient equipment.

  • U.S. companies are not investing in R-22 production due to the eventual phase out. Aging equipment is becoming more expensive to operate and maintain.
  • Over the past several years, raw material costs have hit record levels and the key raw materials used in R-22 (Chlorine, Fluorspar,Natural Gas) remain at historically high cost levels.

What you can do

R401A R404A R507 R407C R422D

Given the R-22 consumption cap and phaseout, what can you do?

  • Contractors should begin to recommend to their customers a change to alternative refrigerants that are 100% non ozone depleting, are not subject to a phase out, and in many cases are more efficient than R-22 which will save money on utility bills.
  • These alternative refrigerants include:
    1. AZ-20 (410A) – Best choice in the air conditioning market
    2. 404A, AZ-50 (507) – Best choice in the refrigeration market
    3. 407C
    4. 422D
  • Contractors should also look into utilizing a certified R-22 reclaim program for R-22 supply. Ask your Genetron Wholesaler about the details.

This information provided by:

Honeywell Genetron Refrigerants

Honeywell