The Montreal Protocol required the U.S. to reduce its consumption of HCFCs (hydro-chlorofluorocarbons) that deplete the earth's ozone layer. The plan calls for a complete halt in the production of new R22 by the year 2020.
As a step toward this goal, in 2010, the production and importation of R22 for use in newly manufactured equipment was no longer permitted. Newly manufactured systems could not use R22 refrigerant.
R22 can still be produced for use in existing HVAC systems, but the EPA strictly controls the amount that can be produced by estimating the number of existing systems that are using R22.
So, with the manufacture of new equipment using R22 curtailed and the production of R22 for system repairs limited, supply of R22 has dropped sharply--and the price has skyrocketed.
In 2020, production of R22 will no longer be allowed. The only source of the refrigerant will be R22 that has been recovered from existing systems and recycled/reclaimed.
What does this mean for the consumer? HVAC systems are closed systems. They are not supposed to leak refrigerant. It is not normal to have to add refrigerant year after year. With the spike in the price of R22, it might be worthwhile to have refrigerant leaks repaired or to consider purchasing a new, more efficient system that uses R410a (Puron).
-Michael Hendricks
