How A lot Does R-22 Freon Price?
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R-22 Freon, additionally referred to as HCFC-22, recharges stay out there in 2025, although costs have doubled prior to now three years. The typical value runs $125 per pound, starting from $90 to $250 per pound. For the standard dwelling system needing 6-12 kilos, anticipate to pay $660-$1,900 together with labor.
Its worth retains climbing attributable to an ongoing phase-out by the Environmental Safety Company (EPA). Our evaluation exhibits that changing an R-22 AC system pays off inside 5 years for most owners. New techniques value $4,000–$8,000 upfront however lower month-to-month vitality payments by 20–40% utilizing fashionable, available refrigerants.
Let’s have a look at your choices that can assist you make the fitting alternative to your dwelling and funds.
Should you’re in search of native HVAC technicians, you’ll be able to fill out this fast kind:
HVAC Set up
On the whole, you’ll pay between $5,540 and $10,980 for an HVAC unit, set up prices, and removing of your previous unit.
Furnace Substitute
You’ll be able to anticipate to pay between $4,000 and $7,000, together with set up, previous furnace removing, and labor.
Warmth Pump Set up
You’ll possible pay between $3,000 and $35,000, however most owners spend between $5,800 and $7,500.
Can You Nonetheless Recharge R-22?
As of January 1, 2020, HCFC-22 can’t be made or imported into the US. This step got here after a rollback on the manufacturing and import of the refrigerant between 2010 and 2020.
HVAC contractors can use current R-22 so long as it’s cleaned to the identical air high quality requirements as new refrigerants. Whereas this phasing out continues to be in movement, the R22 refrigerant worth will maintain going up. They’re turning into much less ozone-depleting substances, however the price of cleansing them up, together with its shortage, means the prices will solely rise.
There may be quite a lot of misinformation on the market. Whereas R-22 is being phased out, it’s nonetheless completely authorized to exchange R-22 freon in current HVAC techniques. You wish to maintain your property vitality prices down and get higher vitality effectivity with out breaking the financial institution.
Some within the HVAC business wish to feed you defective details about R-22 refrigerant. Take a look at this video beneath to study extra:
What does that imply to your dwelling air con wants? Learn on to seek out out.
Making the Proper Selection: Recharge or Exchange?
An Indiana home-owner just lately confronted this alternative with their 15-year-old system. After calculating three years of rising restore prices in opposition to new system costs, they discovered alternative made sense.
Right here’s why:
- Age Issues: Their 15-year-old unit wanted frequent repairs. Methods below 10 years previous with good upkeep information usually run reliably with a recharge. At 15+ years, restore prices often outweigh alternative advantages.
- Restore Patterns: Two recharges in 18 months signaled ongoing points. One restore is perhaps a fluke — a number of repairs level to system decline.
- Vitality Prices: Their summer time cooling payments dropped from $280 to $175 month-to-month after putting in a brand new unit. Trendy techniques run at 16-21 SEER rankings in comparison with 10-12 SEER for older R-22 items.
- Lengthy-term Plans: They plan to remain of their dwelling for 10+ years. For strikes inside 2-3 years, a recharge may bridge the hole.
R-22 Recharge Vs. System Substitute Prices
Use the beneath desk that can assist you perceive how a lot recharging your previous AC unit that runs on R-22 versus upgrading to a brand new air conditioner at $4,000–$8,000.
| HVAC Measurement (Tons) | Refrigerant (Kilos) | Complete Price (Labor + Supplies) |
| 2 | 6 | $660–$1,000 |
| 3 | 9 | $930–$1,500 |
| 4 | 12 | $1,200–$1,900 |
| 5 | 15 | $1,500–$2,400 |
Right here is how the prices to recharge newer air con techniques that use different refrigerants evaluate to recharging R-22:
| Refrigerant Sort | Price per Pound | Actual-World Efficiency |
| R-22 | $90–$250 | Cooling efficiency drops as system ages |
| Trendy R-410A | $50–$90 | Maintains constant cooling effectivity |
| Newer R-32 | $10–$20 | Cuts vitality use by as much as 10% |
Learn additionally: How A lot Does a House AC Recharge Price?
What’s The Price To Exchange R-22 Freon If You Have A Guarantee?
So simply calling in a skilled tech to restore your AC system and exchange the R-22 refrigerant can get fairly dear. Will a guaranty assist mitigate these prices? Let’s take a better look.
Producers
New HVAC items don’t use R-22. New techniques usually use alternative refrigerants like R-4010a (additionally referred to as Puron). This can be a extra environmentally pleasant refrigerant. However in case you are coping with an older system (R-22 AC manufacturing being phased out in 2010), a producer’s guarantee will do you no good.
House Guarantee
If your property has an HVAC system that makes use of R-22, a house guarantee can defend you from prices associated to refrigerant failure. You’ll be paying a month-to-month premium — often someplace between $30 and $65 — and a service name payment of between $75 and $100.
So, if it is advisable exchange Freon in a 3-ton unit, that may be as much as 12 kilos of refrigerant. However if in case you have a house guarantee from Selection House Guarantee, as an example, you’ll already be forward of the sport by way of worth. Premiums for a Selection Complete Plan ought to run lower than $600, plus an $85 service name payment.
No matter dwelling guarantee you take into account, be sure you learn the superb print rigorously. Make sure that changing refrigerant just isn’t excluded.
DIY vs Hiring A Skilled To Exchange R-22 Freon?
What are your prospects for doing this as a DIY venture versus hiring a professional to care for this? Let’s take a better look.
DIY Substitute
So are you able to simply give your R22 system a tune-up your self? Sadly, R-22 is a kind of refrigerant that’s bought solely to licensed HVAC technicians, so changing spent Freon just isn’t a DIY venture you’ll be able to tackle with out an EPA Part 608 Certification.
Skilled Substitute
An HVAC technician coping with R-22 Freon must be licensed below Part 608 of the Clear Air Act. However being an knowledgeable shopper will enable you be certain that the venture will get performed proper. Technicians shouldn’t simply “high off” the refrigerant in these older items.
They need to be in search of refrigerant leaks within the system to guard the atmosphere and to make sure that you’re not simply pumping {dollars} and Freon out into empty area. Doing a radical test of your AC will enable you keep away from a second service name for a similar drawback. When leaks are stopped, your cooling system will likely be extra energy-efficient and enhance the efficiency of your air con.
Good System Substitute
Right here’s what you need to take into account for those who’re weighing the choice of recharging your previous AC unit with R-22 or upgrading to a brand new one.
When to Exchange
The time for alternative comes at key turning factors in your system’s life cycle. At 15 years, restore frequency usually will increase whereas effectivity drops. As soon as restore quotes exceed $1,000 otherwise you want service calls a number of instances per 12 months, alternative turns into more cost effective. Watch your month-to-month payments — a gradual climb of $30–$50 with out adjustments in utilization patterns indicators declining effectivity.
Advantages of Trendy Methods
New techniques rework dwelling consolation and working prices. Anticipate your summer time vitality payments to drop by about 30% because of improved effectivity. Present refrigerant costs keep below $90 per pound, and fashionable temperature management retains rooms inside 2 levels of your setting. These items run quietly, measuring beneath 72 decibels — quieter than regular dialog. Plus, they use environmentally protected refrigerants that don’t injury the ozone layer.
Remaining Ideas on R-22 Freon Substitute
Many R-22 air con techniques soldier on previous their prime, and others fail early. If yours is in good condition, the common value to recharge it’s $125 per pound, starting from $90 to $250 per pound. Nevertheless, for those who want frequent repairs, have rising vitality payments, or it’s 20 years previous or older, you need to plan to get a brand new air conditioner.
The secret’s watching your precise prices — repairs, vitality payments, and declining consolation — fairly than simply the system’s age. Trendy items pay again their value by means of vitality financial savings inside 5–7 years for most owners. Work with licensed execs who present clear documentation and straight speak about your choices.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Can I nonetheless use my R-22 system legally?
Sure, you’ll be able to maintain utilizing your R-22 system legally. Most HVAC firms nonetheless have entry to R-22 to recharge them. The EPA banned new manufacturing however permits use of current provides.
Will R-22 run out quickly?
Reclaimed R-22 ought to final by means of 2030. Native costs rose 25% final summer time, with the Southeast seeing the steepest will increase. You’ll possible see 10-15% annual value will increase going ahead.
Can I convert my system to newer refrigerant?
Technically sure, however I hardly ever suggest it. Conversion prices $500–$1,200 and infrequently reduces cooling capability by 5–10%. Most conversions I’ve seen find yourself needing alternative inside two years anyway.
