R-22 to be banned by Montreal Protocol
As of January 2010 the refrigerant R-22 (freon) will not be allowed to be used in new equipment. R-22 has been used as the "standard" refrigerant for many years but has been found to be harmful to our planet by our government.
What You Should Know about Refrigerants When Purchasing or Repairing a Residential A/C System or Heat Pump
Background: Ban on Production and Imports of Ozone-Depleting Refrigerants
In 1987 the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental agreement, established requirements that began the worldwide phase-out of ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). These requirements were later modified, leading to the phase out in 1996 of CFC production in all developed nations.
In addition, a 1992 amendment to the Montreal Protocol established a schedule for the phase-out of HCFCs (hydro-chlorofluorocarbons). HCFCs are substantially less damaging to the ozone layer than CFCs, but still contain ozone-destroying chlorine. The Montreal Protocol as amended is carried out in the U.S. through Title VI of the Clean Air Act, which is implemented by EPA.
An HCFC known as R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than four decades. Unfortunately for the environment, releases of R-22 that result from system leaks contribute to ozone depletion. In addition, the manufacture of R-22 results in a by-product that contributes significantly to global warming. As the manufacture of R-22 is phased out over the coming years as part of the agreement to end production of HCFCs, manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are beginning to offer equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants.
Phase-out Schedule for HCFCs Including R-22
Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. agreed to meet certain obligations by specific dates that will affect the residential heat pump and air-conditioning industry:
January 1, 2004: In accordance with the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the amount of all HCFCs that can be produced nationwide must be reduced by 35% by 2004. In order to achieve this goal, the U.S. is ceasing production of HCFC-141b, the most ozone-damaging of this class of chemicals, on January 1, 2003.
January 1, 2010: After 2010, chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing equipment, but not for use in new equipment. As a result, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system manufacturers will only be able to use pre-existing supplies of R-22 to produce new air conditioners and heat pumps. These existing supplies would include R-22 recovered from existing equipment and recycled.
January 1, 2020: Use of existing R-22 refrigerant, including refrigerant that has been recovered and recycled, will be allowed beyond 2020 to service existing systems, but chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22 to service existing air conditioners and heat pumps.
For more information about this phase-out, see fact sheets about the HCFC Phase-out Schedule and the Update on HCFC Allowance Allocation System Regulations.
What Does the R-22 Phase-out Mean for Consumers?
Availability of R-22: The Clean Air Act does not allow any refrigerant to be vented into the atmosphere during installation, service, or retirement of equipment. Therefore, R-22 must be recovered and recycled (for reuse in the same system), reclaimed (reprocessed to the same purity levels as new R-22), or destroyed. After 2020, the servicing of R-22-based systems will rely on recycled refrigerants.
Cost of R-22: We at Donald P Dick Air Conditioning have noticed that the production of the R-22 refrigerant has decreased much faster than originally anticipated, and this has already resulted in a significant increase in the price of the R-22 refrigerant. The price for the two refrigerants is now approximately the same, which suggests that very soon, the R-22 refrigerant will be very expensive.
HCFC Phase-out Schedule: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/hcfc.html
Update on HCFC Allowance: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/hcfcallowallocat.html
This information can be found in its unedited form at http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/phaseout/HCFC_Report.pdf
