R-22 Freon Phase-Out: What Florida Homeowners Need to Know

If your AC system was installed before 2010, there's a good chance it uses R-22 refrigerant — commonly known as Freon. And if it does, you need to know what that means for your wallet.

What Happened to R-22?

R-22 was phased out by the EPA in January 2020 due to its ozone-depleting properties. No new R-22 can be manufactured or imported into the United States. The only R-22 available is recycled or reclaimed — and the supply is shrinking every year.

What Does It Cost Now?

R-22 now costs $100 or more per pound. A typical residential system holds 5–12 pounds of refrigerant. If your system develops a leak and needs a full recharge, you could be looking at $500–$1,200+ just for the refrigerant — before the cost of finding and repairing the leak itself.

Can You Convert to a Different Refrigerant?

There are "drop-in" replacement refrigerants available, but they come with trade-offs. They may not perform as well as R-22, can void manufacturer warranties, and still don't solve the underlying problem: you have an aging system that's past its design life.

When Should You Replace?

If your R-22 system has a refrigerant leak, replacement is almost always the smarter financial decision. Here's why:

• The system is at least 14+ years old (R-22 systems haven't been sold since 2010)
• Refrigerant costs will only increase as supply dwindles
• A new R-410A or R-32 system is 20–40% more efficient
• New systems come with 10-year parts warranties
• Financing is available with 0% promotional rates

How to Check Your Refrigerant Type

Look at the data plate on your outdoor unit (condenser). It will list the refrigerant type — usually "R-22" or "HCFC-22." If you're not sure, call us and we'll check it during a service call.