Is Freon hard to get?

Freon is no longer being manufactured and, starting in 2020, will no longer be available even for recharging older systems. In the meantime, the remaining supply of Freon is rapidly dwindling while the price has skyrocketed, and continues to do so.

Is there a Freon shortage?

Beginning in 2020, Freon will no longer be produced or imported, but limited amounts will still be available. Older systems can be serviced or recharged with refrigerant using stocks of HCFC-22 until the 2020 date. After that, technicians will need to source recycled Freon to keep an old cooling system running.

How much is a bottle of Freon?

Freon costs an average of $150 for a Freon refill. Most people pay between $100 and $350 for a refill, depending on the size and type of your HVAC unit. Older large r22 units can reach $600 or more. A 25lb jug of r410a runs $75 to $175.

Is Freon still being produced?

Yes, most likely. Since R-22 is no longer being produced after January 1st, quantities will become more limited and expensive. As the supply decreases, the price for remaining stock or recycled Freon is expected to increase.

Why is Freon getting so expensive?

Because Freon is becoming so hard to find, the cost to buy it has surged. The overwhelming majority of Freon found on the market today is actually reclaimed, which means it isn't even new and it still goes for well over double or even triple the price of a different, modern refrigerant.

What is Freon? and Is Freon Illegal?

Why is Freon so expensive 2021?

Why is Freon R-22 so expensive? The reality is you are a victim of supply and demand due to the shortage of Freon R-22. You see, nearly 30 years ago the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) ruled that Freon R-22 should be phased out as it contains ingredients that have been shown to deplete the ozone.

How much is a pound of Freon?

Freon Cost Per Pound

Freon costs $50 to $80 per pound for R410A or $90 to $150 per pound for R22, installed. Most central air conditioners need 2 to 4 pounds to recharge the refrigerant. A complete refill requires 6 to 15 pounds of Freon depending on the AC size.

Is Freon illegal in the US?

Yes, Freon, also known as R-22 or HCFC-22 (meaning hydrochlorofluorocarbon) cannot be produced within the United States or imported into the U.S. from other companies. This EPA Freon ban took effect on January 1, 2020.

Can I buy Freon?

A common air conditioning refrigerant, Freon will no longer be legal to make, sell, or buy in 2020 and will be phased out of use completely as part of new regulations.

What is Freon called now?

Puron®, also known as R-410A, is approved by the EPA to replace Freon® 22 and is the world's first, long-term solution to ozone depletion.

Is R22 hard to find?

Availability of R22 will be limited since it cannot be purchased new. Even if you need a recharge of R22 in the future, there can be no guarantee that the refrigerant will be available. Complete air conditioning system replacement to an R422 model may be the most cost-effective solution.

Is 2 pounds of Freon a lot?

Amount of Freon in Units

As for how much Freon is in each unit that could be lost due to damage, the general rule of thumb is 2 1/2 pounds of refrigerant per ton of cooling. The tonnage of an A/C unit determines its size and the amount of space it can cool, with larger tonnage units providing greater cooling abilities.

Can I add Freon to my home AC?

Not only can you not add refrigerant to your air conditioner on your own, but you should never have to! Air conditioners are either factory charged with the right amount of refrigerant before being shipped out to retailers, or they are charged at the time of installation in a dry charge scenario.

What year did they stop using Freon in refrigerators?

In 1994, governments banned the use of R-12 in new refrigerators and air-conditioning systems due to its damage to the ozone layer. Since 1990, the less harmful replacement for R-12, R-134a, has been used in many old systems.

How long does Freon last in HVAC?

Freon (which is really just a particular brand of refrigerant) lasts forever. It's not like gas in car; it does not get “used up.” You see, your air conditioner's refrigerant system is a “closed/sealed system,” meaning that it does not allow refrigerant to escape in any way.

Is Freon still used in refrigerators?

Does My Refrigerator Use Freon? Due to its detrimental impact on the environment, modern refrigerators which are manufactured after 1994 aren't likely to use Freon. Thus, newer refrigerants are being used in place of Freon which have a smaller effect on the environment, such as R-600a or HFC-134a.

What do you need to buy Freon?

As of January 1, 2018, the purchase of all cylinders now require a 608 or 609 proof of certification, unless you are a reseller. Download our EPA form and email back to us before you purchase. A 608 certification is required to purchase R-22, R-410a, R-404a, R-422D, and MO99.

How often does home AC Need Freon?

If everything is working properly, your AC should never need a refrigerant. In fact, a central air conditioner should never need refrigerant added unless there's a refrigerant leak.

Is Freon still used in cars?

Vehicles manufactured before the 1994 model year used R-12 (also referred to CFC-12 or Freon). Newer vehicles rely on R-134a refrigerant, also known as HFC-134a.

Can Freon be stolen?

The same needs to happen with your air conditioner. Theft of Freon is a growing trend and people are getting it from air conditioners. In recent news, an Atlanta based man caught a group of teenagers inhaling Freon from his air conditioner unit.

Can Freon hurt you?

Freon is a tasteless, mostly odorless gas. When it is deeply inhaled, it can cut off vital oxygen to your cells and lungs. Limited exposure — for example, a spill on your skin or breathing near an open container — is only mildly harmful. However, you should try to avoid all contact with these types of chemicals.

Can you smell Freon?

Freon usually travels through closed copper coils in an AC unit, but these coils can crack and result in an AC coolant leak. A freon leak will produce a smell between sweet and chloroform. Freon leaks can be toxic.

How much should I pay for Freon?

Residential Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost

As mentioned earlier, Freon costs about $125 – $150 per pound. Most homeowners will pay in the range of $200 to $400 for a refill, depending on the type and size of their HVAC unit. If you own a larger r22 unit, you may have to spend $600 or more.

How many pounds of Freon does a home AC unit hold?

Typical residential air conditioning units hold from 5 to 15 pounds of R-22. Even more, according to the EPA, production and sale of R-22 be cease completely by 2020.

How much Freon is in a 3 ton unit?

The 3-ton AC or Heat Pump with a 35 foot lineset will need a total of about 12 pounds of refrigerant.