The EPA’s Ban of Freon (R-22) & What it Means for Homeowners

Homeowners are constantly looking for ways to cut costs here and there, but have you thought about your AC unit could be costing you more money?

Today, the professionals at Getzschman are breaking down the details on the EPA’s ban of Freon (R-22) and what it means for you and your AC unit.

What is Freon (R-22)?

Freon or R-22, is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon gas used as a refrigerant in air conditioning systems in most homes, stores, restaurants, schools, etc., built before 2010. Freon is considered a greenhouse gas, with ozone-depleting potential. Because of this classification, the EPA banned the use of Freon in any air conditioning system produced after 2010.

Even as early as 2004, the EPA began to enforce restrictions on the production and import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, such as Freon or R-22. To give you an idea of the current supply of Freon, in 2010, when the ban was enacted, there were approximately 110 million pounds available in the U.S. By 2015, there were only an estimated 10 million pounds left. As you can imagine, as supplies have plummeted, prices have skyrocketed!

What Does This Mean for Homeowners?

This means that if you have an older model air conditioning unit that still uses Freon as a refrigerant, and it develops a leak, you’ll be forced to pay an exorbitant amount of money to keep it running!

The estimated 10 million pounds of Freon remaining are considered well below what is needed to service the existing pre-2010 AC units remaining in the U.S. The smartest thing to do at this point is to invest in a new air-conditioning system. Not only are the newer systems far more energy-efficient, they cool better, are quieter, and they don’t use Freon.

Related Read: 3 Signs Your AC Unit Is On Its Last Leg

If you live in Omaha or the surrounding area, contact us today for a free estimate. We’ve been repairing and replacing heating and cooling systems for more than 50 years, and are committed to 100% customer satisfaction!