Is R12 illegal?

R12 Refrigerant Today

The Montreal Protocol and EPA regulations did not ban the use of R12 refrigerant. It is illegal to manufacture new R12, but it is not illegal to sell or use R12. And many of the cylinders and cans of Freon R-12 sold for decades throughout the United States are still around.

Can you still use R12?

To be clear, it's against the law to manufacture Freon. But it's still perfectly legal to sell R12 refrigerant. Sellers might require proof of the EPA 609 certification needed to service refrigerant in cars. Certified technicians ensure that correct measures are taken to avoid Freon escaping into the atmosphere.

Do you have to be certified to buy R12?

Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians certified under the Section 608 or Section 609 technician certification programs, where individuals may only purchase refrigerant consistent with the appliances covered by their certification.

When did R12 stop being used?

For many years, R12 was the automotive refrigerant standard. It was effective and cheap. However, scientists quickly discovered its sinister secret: It was partially responsible for the rapidly-depleting ozone layer. In 1994, it was banned from all new cars sold in the US.

Can I sell my R12?

Yes, you can still sell R-12 and other CFC refrigerants. Although these refrigerants can no longer be manufactured, it is perfectly legal to sell to an EPA certified buyer.

R12? R Illegal???

Can you top off R12 with R134a?

No. Federal law prohibits topping off an R12 system with a different refrigerant. Your options are to locate some R12, however you must be certified to purchase, and add it with an R-12 recharge hose.

What happens if you put R12 in a R134a system?

Mixing R12 and R-134a refrigerants is illegal, and even if you previously bleed out the R12, the system has to be adjusted to use R-134a, or it will cause leaks, copper corrosion, and lack the lubrication required for optimal operation.

Can I buy R22?

Many homeowners have been told that R22 is now illegal, and they have to change their HVAC not to be at odds with the law. That is false. R22 refrigerant is illegal to import and manufacturer in the U.S. But it's not illegal for anyone to buy R22 freon. And it's not illegal to sell it IF you have a license.

How much does it cost to convert R12 to R134a?

If you have a professional convert the R12 to R134a, you may spend about $250 for the entire service. However, this is much more cost-effective than replacing the entire air conditioning system. If you were thinking about getting an R134a system installed, your cost would be around $2,000 to $4,000.

Is R12 better than r134?

Understand that R12 has its advantages. R12 can blow 6 to 7 degrees cooler than R134a and is 15% more efficient. R134a systems require larger condensers and higher operating pressures than R12 systems because R134a doesn't have as high of a heat transfer rate as R12 (which has a heavier molecular size than R134a).

Can you buy R12 in Mexico?

Re: Is there a legal source for R12

Go to the local HVAC supply house, they'll sell it to you and it's completely legal. Certain requirements apply, but it's legal. If you don't have a license, Mexico is probably the closest to buy it legally. Technically illegal, but it often pops up on Craigslist.

What can I use instead of R22?

A few popular R22 alternatives are R410A, R134A, R407C, R407A, MO99, and RS-44b. This type of refrigerant is safe for the environment, affordable, and easy to store, use, and transport.

How much is a bottle of R22?

R22 Freon prices are $90 to $150 per pound to refill or $13 to $21 per pound wholesale. R410A refrigerant costs $50 to $80 per pound installed or $4 to $8 per pound wholesale. Most AC units need 2 to 4 pounds to recharge the refrigerant.

How much does a pound of R22 Freon cost?

Your HVAC specialist can snag R-22 freon for $20 to $50 per pound wholesale. However, when you call on a repair team to replace it, expect your bill to run from $90 to $150 per pound. It's important to note that a high-functioning HVAC system only requires a refill if something is wrong.

Is R12 heavier than R134a?

The volume of r134a refrigerant is lighter than the same amount r12 refrigerant. This not only is important to know for commercial refrigeration units, but it also is vital when making repairs on HVAC equipment and even cars.

Is Freon 12 the same as R12?

R12 (also known as “Freon”) is a CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), specifically dichlorodifluoromethane, and R134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), meaning both have different chemical makeups. Additionally, CFCs are known to be damaging to the ozone, which is why R12 is no longer in production.

What refrigerant can be mixed with R12?

The advantage of ester oil is that it works with both R12 as well as R134a, so you can fill the system with it and then use either refrigerant.

What happens if you put the wrong refrigerant in your car?

You cannot mix refrigerant types, and putting the wrong refrigerant in your car will cause damage to the air conditioning system! If you're not sure which kind of refrigerant your vehicle takes, DIY A/C charging may not be for you.

Can R12 and r22 be mixed?

They are two completely different refrigerants,won't mix at all. But when it blows your system have the decency to tell the service tech what ya did. I have a R12 in basement for long time.

Is 134a refrigerant being phased out?

HFC-134a: a Potent Greenhouse Gas

HFC-134a will no longer be approved for use in new light-duty vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States as of model year 2021 as a result of EPA's July 2015 final rule under SNAP (July 20, 2015, 80 FR 42870Exit Exit EPA website).

What is the closest refrigerant to R22?

Freon MO99 is the closest capacity match to R-22 compared with most other no-oil change refrigerants.

What is the new refrigerant for HVAC?

Although there are various types of refrigerants, R-32 is a new refrigerant currently receiving the most interest. Because R-32 efficiently conveys heat, it can reduce electricity consumption up to approximately 10% compared to that of air conditioners using refrigerant R-22.