Refrigerant may be the most important substance you have never seen. This chemical compound circulates through your air conditioner or heat pump, absorbing heat from inside your home and releasing it outdoors. While homeowners rarely interact with refrigerant directly, understanding the different types and their implications helps you make informed decisions about repairs, maintenance, and equipment replacement, particularly if your system uses the now-obsolete R-22 refrigerant.
How Refrigerant Works
Refrigerants exploit a fundamental physical principle: when liquids evaporate, they absorb heat from their surroundings. Your AC system uses this by circulating refrigerant through a closed loop. Inside your home, refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator coil, absorbing heat from indoor air. The now-gaseous refrigerant travels to the outdoor unit, where the compressor pressurizes it. This pressure raises its temperature, allowing the condenser coil to release the captured heat to the outdoor air. The refrigerant then flows back inside to repeat the cycle.
The specific refrigerant used affects system efficiency, operating pressures, and environmental impact. Different refrigerant types cannot be mixed or interchanged in existing equipment.
Common Refrigerant Types
R-22 (Freon)
R-22, commonly known by the brand name Freon, was the standard refrigerant in residential air conditioning for decades. However, R-22 contains chlorine compounds that damage the ozone layer. Under the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental agreement, production and import of R-22 ended in the United States in January 2020.
Existing supplies of R-22 continue to dwindle, driving prices steadily higher. What once cost $10-15 per pound now often exceeds $100 or more per pound, making repairs on R-22 systems increasingly expensive. If your AC was installed before 2010, it likely uses R-22.
R-410A (Puron)
R-410A became the standard replacement for R-22 in new residential equipment starting around 2010. It contains no chlorine and does not damage the ozone layer. R-410A also operates at higher pressures, enabling greater efficiency and better cooling performance. Equipment designed for R-410A uses different components than R-22 systems, which is why you cannot simply switch refrigerants in existing equipment.
Newer Refrigerants: R-32 and R-454B
While R-410A solved the ozone problem, it has high global warming potential if released to the atmosphere. Newer refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B offer even lower environmental impact while maintaining or improving performance. These refrigerants are increasingly appearing in new equipment as manufacturers work toward climate goals. The industry continues evolving toward more sustainable options.
The R-22 Phaseout: What It Means for You
If your system uses R-22, you face a decision as equipment ages and repairs arise. Repairs that require adding refrigerant, such as leak repairs, become increasingly expensive due to refrigerant costs. A repair that might cost $300-500 with readily available refrigerant could cost $1,000 or more with R-22.
You cannot convert an R-22 system to use R-410A or other refrigerants. The components, oil, and operating characteristics are fundamentally different. When an R-22 system needs replacement, the entire system must be replaced with new equipment designed for modern refrigerants.
Some drop-in refrigerant alternatives exist that can work in R-22 systems, but these have limitations and potential issues. Many HVAC professionals recommend against them, suggesting replacement as the better long-term solution.
When Refrigerant Type Affects Decisions
Repair Decisions
When an R-22 system develops a refrigerant leak, you face a choice: pay for the expensive leak repair plus costly R-22, or invest that money toward replacement with modern equipment. The math increasingly favors replacement as R-22 prices rise. A good rule of thumb: if repair costs approach 50% of replacement cost on an R-22 system, replacement usually makes better financial sense.
Replacement Planning
If you have an older R-22 system that still functions, consider proactive replacement planning. You can replace on your timeline rather than in an emergency, take advantage of seasonal pricing and rebate opportunities, choose the best equipment for your needs, and avoid a future situation where expensive R-22 makes repair impractical.
Bay Area Considerations
California's environmental regulations and high electricity costs make the case for modern, efficient equipment particularly compelling for Bay Area homeowners. New equipment using R-410A or newer refrigerants typically operates significantly more efficiently than aging R-22 systems, reducing ongoing operating costs while eliminating future refrigerant supply concerns.
Consult with a qualified HVAC contractor to understand your current system's refrigerant type and discuss the best path forward for your specific situation.