Just as we suspected, the Price of R-22 has risen again, in the past 365 days the cost of R22 refrigerant has risen approx. 150% If you go back just ten years ago it has risen in price 750%. It is not turning back at this point, what most folks dont know or realize is that "Freon" has been on the way out since 1993. They originally had set it to be finished by 2020, however that changed last year, and thus a significant spike in price.

Taken from EPA website.

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 standard as new R-22), or destroyed. After 2020, the servicing of R-22-based systems will rely solely on recycled or reclaimed refrigerants. It is expected that reclamation and recycling will ensure that existing supplies of R-22 will last longer and be available to service a greater number of systems. As noted above, chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce, and companies will no longer be able to import, R-22 for use in new A/C equipment after 2010,* but they can continue production and import of R-22 until 2020 for use in servicing existing equipment. Given this schedule, which was established in 1993, the transition away from R-22 to the use of ozone-friendly refrigerants should be smooth. For the next 10 years or more, R-22 should continue to be available for all systems that require R-22 for servicing.


With 2015 just around the corner, we have accelerated the depletion, contractors are scrambling to get as much as they can afford, theft has been dramatically increased, much like copper theft in previous years. Homeowners in the know, are replacing their old outdated systems today and not waiting for the pitfall yet to come. Some homeowners, have recenty updated their systems only to find out they never upgraded and are still using R22. 

Have any questions? Contact Joshua at Autumn Air (602)266-5247