What is R22?
R22 (also called HCFC-22 or by the brand name Freon) is a chlorodifluoromethane refrigerant that was the industry standard for residential air conditioning from the 1960s through the early 2000s. If your home was built or had AC installed before 2010, there is a strong chance your system uses R22.
R22 was popular because it worked well across a wide temperature range and was relatively inexpensive to produce. However, its chemical composition includes chlorine, which breaks down the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere. This environmental concern led to international agreements to phase it out entirely.
Why is R22 phased out?
R22 has a high ozone depletion potential (ODP). The ozone layer hole that became a global concern in the 1980s was primarily caused by chlorine-containing compounds like HCFCs (including R22) and CFCs. The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, established a global timeline to eliminate these substances.
Beyond ozone depletion, R22 also has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1,810, meaning one pound of R22 released into the atmosphere has the same warming effect as 1,810 pounds of CO2. Both the environmental damage and the international regulatory framework made the phase-out unavoidable.
When was R22 phased out?
The R22 phase-out happened in stages over more than a decade:
- January 1, 2004: No new R22 equipment could be manufactured in the U.S. All new AC systems had to use alternative refrigerants.
- January 1, 2010: Production and importation of R22 was significantly reduced (75% cut from baseline) under the Montreal Protocol. Servicing existing equipment was still allowed.
- January 1, 2020: All production, importation, and sale of R22 was banned in the United States. Only reclaimed or recycled R22 can legally be used for servicing existing systems.
Since 2020, the only legal source of R22 is reclaimed refrigerant recovered from decommissioned systems. This limited supply drives prices higher each year.
What's replacing R22?
R410A has been the primary R22 replacement since the early 2000s. R410A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that does not deplete the ozone layer and has a lower (though still significant) global warming potential compared to R22. R410A operates at roughly 50% higher pressure than R22, which means R22 systems cannot simply be refilled with R410A. The compressor, metering devices, and often the copper linesets are not rated for the higher operating pressures.
R454B (sold commercially as Opteon XL41) is the next generation, now shipping in new equipment from Carrier, Trane, Lennox, and Daikin as of 2025. R454B has a GWP of 466, which is 78% lower than R410A's GWP of 2,088. If you are replacing an R22 system in 2025 or 2026, your new system will most likely use R454B.
Other alternatives include R407C (a drop-in substitute used in some commercial systems), R32 (used primarily in ductless mini-splits), and R134A (more common in automotive and commercial refrigeration).
How to tell if your system uses R22
Check the data plate on your outdoor condenser unit, usually a metal sticker on the side panel. It will list the refrigerant type as R22, HCFC-22, or Chlorodifluoromethane. Here are some general guidelines:
- Installed before 2010: Almost certainly uses R22.
- Installed 2010-2015: Could be either R22 or R410A. Check the data plate.
- Installed after 2015: Uses R410A or a newer refrigerant.
If the data plate is unreadable or missing, an HVAC technician can identify the refrigerant type by checking the system's operating pressures. R22 and R410A operate at noticeably different pressure levels.
R22 recharge vs. system replacement
The math on R22 recharges gets worse every year. Here is a realistic comparison for 2026:
- R22 recharge: $150-$300 per pound, with a typical residential system needing 5-15 pounds. A full recharge costs $750-$4,500, and you will likely need to recharge again within 1-2 years as the leak worsens.
- New heat pump system: $13,000-$18,000 before incentives. After Xcel Energy rebates, net cost can drop to $7,000-$12,000 depending on the system and available programs. Note: The federal 25C tax credit ended December 2025.
An R22 system is at minimum 15 years old, running at 8-12 SEER efficiency. A new 16 SEER2 heat pump uses 30-40% less energy and provides both heating and cooling. Over a 15-year lifespan, the energy savings alone typically exceed $5,000-$8,000 in Colorado, where we run both heating and cooling for extended seasons.
Recharging R22 AC in 2026
Unlicensed contractors may offer to recharge a leaky R22 system with more refrigerant, but it’s very likely that the R22 will leak out within weeks or months. Sealants, chemicals, and promises do not fix a deteriorating coil or corroded connection. In 2026, you should not be recharging a leaky R22 system and expecting to save money. Leaks get bigger over time, and R22 gets more expensive every year as the reclaimed supply shrinks. Don’t pay for air.
If your system still holds a charge and runs without issues, you can continue operating it. There is no legal requirement to replace a working R22 system. But once it starts leaking or needs a major repair (compressor, coil), replacement is almost always the better financial decision.
Colorado-specific concerns
Colorado's dry climate and altitude create specific challenges for aging R22 systems. At Denver's elevation (5,280 feet), air conditioning systems work under lower atmospheric pressure, which affects refrigerant charge calculations and system performance. Older R22 systems that were not properly sized or charged for altitude may have been underperforming for years.
The good news is that replacing an R22 system in Colorado comes with significant incentive stacking. Xcel Energy's Clean Heat Plan rebates (which can exceed $7,500 for qualifying heat pumps) and Colorado state tax credits still apply. Note that the federal 25C tax credit ended December 2025. Combined, these incentives can cover 30-45% of a new heat pump system's cost.
