What You Need to Know About the R22 Ban

A common element of HVAC and refrigeration equipment is something called R22, better known as freon. This colorless gas goes throughout your fridge or AC to recycle the hot air that is pulled in and pushes out back out cold air. That’s why it’s called a coolant; it keeps your house and groceries cool.

However, this once vital part of your system will be banned by the end of 2019 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you haven’t heard this news yet, don’t panic. It’s actually a good thing and won’t require too much effort on your part to stay on top of.

If you’d like to learn more, we’re answering the top questions about the ban of R22 and what it means for you and your equipment below!

Why was R22 Banned?

It’s important to answer why the R22 ban happened, as it properly relays the seriousness of the ban. In the 1970’s, it was discovered that a huge participator of the sudden depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer was R22.

The ozone layer is the very thing that protects us from the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Without the ozone layer, the temperatures on our globe will continue to increase. The hotter weather will bring forth a whole lot of negative reactions, like rising sea levels and an increased risk to skin cancer. Therefore, the ozone layer is extremely important and at the head of most global warming conversations.

R22 was damaging the ozone layer, resulting in the issues discussed above. The DOE and the EPA decided to do something about it.

What Does It Mean for Your Equipment?

R22 will be banned at the end of 2019, which means it’s illegal to use it or import it from another country. However, the consequences of that ban are already happening, months before 2019 comes to an end.

The cost of fixing or buying equipment with freon issues are skyrocketing, at almost a total of a 50% price increase. Plus, if your fridge has a freon leak, you may be responsible for paying a fine to the EPA for damaging the environment. That means that maintaining or buying a fridge with freon will be far more expensive to buy something new with R22.

If you have a fridge or an HVAC unit that currently uses freon, it’s time to look for a replacement. The experts at Plumbline are happy to discuss and give our expert opinion. We’ll be able to provide you with a piece of equipment that won’t get you fined for and that won’t waste your money.