R22 is Phasing Out 

In 2016 we told you about the R22 phase out and with warmer temperatures approaching, Stevenson Service Experts wanted to remind you of your courses of action. 

RECAP: 

If you have an air conditioner installed prior to 2010, it likely uses R22 refrigerant, which is what makes the air coming from your air conditioner cool and comfy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began phasing out R22 refrigerant in recent years because it was contributing to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer. 

Starting in 2010, the manufacturing and importing of R22 was prohibited and by 2020, R22 will basically no longer be allowed. 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

R22 refrigerant is no longer produced in North America. 

You can get recycled R22 now for existing AC equipment that use this certain refrigerant. 

The cost of R22 is going up because of the reducing supply, and will no longer be available for use at all by 2020. 

GOT IT? GOOD! SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? 

If your AC equipment was manufactured after January 2010, the R22 refrigerant phase-out probably doesn’t apply to you. However, if your AC equipment was manufactured before January 2010, you have some options: 

1) Buy an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system, which requires the approved AC refrigerant. 

2) Call a professional to replace the parts in your current air conditioning system to help make it compatible with approved air conditioner refrigerant. However, this is not recommended because it could invalidate your warranty(ies). 

3) Stick with using recycled R22 until 2020. 

READY TO BE DONE WITH IT? 

If you don’t want to have to worry about the issue of your refrigerant being phased-out, or you don’t want to stress about the soaring costs of said refrigerant, or you just want to help the environment with a non-ozone destroying refrigerant, call Stevenson Service Experts today and we’ll come out and provide you a complimentary in-home estimate on a new air conditioner, just in time for spring!