Understanding R22 Legality and R22 Phase out: Update 2024
The Truth About R22 Legality Contrary to common misconceptions, R22 (also known as HCFC-22 or Freon-22) is NOT illegal to use in existing systems as discussed in R22 Phase-Out article. While new production and imports were banned after January 1, 2020, existing systems can continue to operate and be serviced with recovered or previously produced R22. What Exactly Is R22? R22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant that was widely used in air conditioning systems and heat pumps for decades. While highly effective for cooling, it was phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties. The refrigerant is manufactured by Chemours (formerly DuPont) under the trademark "Freon." The EPA Phase-Out: What You Need to Know The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented the following changes: Banned production and import of new R22 after January 1, 2020 Prohibited use in new equipment manufacturing Allows continued use of existing R22 supplies for servici...