C. Andrew John
Recently a friend of mine came to me with an important question. He asked, “I was told that I have to replace my air conditioning system because R-22 refrigerant will be banned in 2020 and illegal to use, is that true?”
I found this to be shocking and it made me a little angry. Why? Because this information was misleading, and it wasn’t the first time I heard it. Sadly, there is a lot of false information out there and I want to arm you with the facts. So, let me break it down.
Will it be illegal to use R-22 after January 1, 2020?
No, it will not be illegal to use, but it will be illegal to produce. Which means we have to rely on remaining supply, and we will have no control over how much it will cost or how long it will last.
Do you have to replace your air conditioning system because it uses R-22?
Yes, eventually, but not just because it uses R-22. A system that uses R-22 is already at least nine years old, and as systems age they tend to breakdown. A common breakdown is caused by a refrigerant leak, and soon it’s going to get very expensive and eventually R-22 will not be available.
How do you know if your system uses R-22?
Look for the sticker on the outside unit. If it says either HCFC-22 or R-22, then your system uses it.
What can you do if your system uses R-22?
Call C. Andrew John with John’s Refrigeration, Heating and Cooling at (480) 648-2505 for a No-Cost Evaluation. We will come to your home, look over your system, and provide you the information you need to make the best decision for your situation.