R22 prices

[Jim greengo]

What are you guys charging for r22 in your area.
I thought I was pretty reasonable at $75.00 lb,most people are complaining too much,but some are.

 

[brewchief]

We get a bit more than that, price varies depending on if it's with a repair and the first pound is a bit more then subsequent pounds.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[gc427]

$95.00 per pound plus labor time to charge system.

Some of our competitors are $125.00 to $175.00 per pound.

 

[PelicanPines]

$90 around here... I bartered for 60 pounds years ago... good deal... pretty sure it's $125 for the first pound.

 

[MattT]

What are you guys charging for r22 in your area.
I thought I was pretty reasonable at $75.00 lb,most people are complaining too much,but some are.

I ain't surprised they're complaining. Anyone with an internet connection can find out that you're probably buying it for under $15 per pound.

 

[Jim greengo]

I ain't surprised they're complaining. Anyone with an internet connection can find out that you're probably buying it for under $15 per pound.

And have you tried buying it on line with out a license,

 

[Jim greengo]

Now for the next piece of the puzzle,what are you guys charging for residential service work?

 

[MattT]

And have you tried buying it on line with out a license,

It's do-able. Not that I need any. And if you're doing HVAC service work I presume you have a 608? AKA a license to print money apparently.

 

[danski0224]

What are you guys charging for r22 in your area.
I thought I was pretty reasonable at $75.00 lb,most people are complaining too much,but some are.

Price sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Jim greengo]

It's do-able. Not that I need any. And if you're doing HVAC service work I presume you have a 608? AKA a license to print money apparently.

Cant buy it in Omaha without it and a contractors license,if the quit making it next year like they keep saying watch what the price does.

 

[danski0224]

The price of R22 is actually dropping due to reduced demand, which is tied to the availability of suitable replacement or retrofit refrigerants.

It was over $800.00 per 30lb jug last year. It's readily available for half that right now.

Sure, the price may spike next year, but there are alternatives.

 

[Gila Monster]

I ain't surprised they're complaining. Anyone with an internet connection can find out that you're probably buying it for under $15 per pound.

+1

What the OP charging is actually on the low side, in my area it was like $120+ a pound.

If an auto shop charged someone $150 for a single gallon of antifreeze (plus the a few hours for labor), people would be ready with torches and pitchforks. It's the same thing with refrigerant. You can buy a gallon of antifreeze for $12 a gallon at Walmart, I can buy R22 $12 a pound all day.

Yes, R22 prices have gone up from where they were, and I expect a decent markup on top of that, but what techs charge now is absurd. Some crook topped my elderly father's two unit off with R22, charged him around $1,400. It was about 9 pounds, or $135 of refrigerant and an hour of his time.

I bought my own tank (from a licensed local dealer) and stopped playing that game a while ago. Not rocket science.

I've noticed once they found out they got away with this with R22, they've started doing it with R-410 now too, even though that's $5 a pound.

I'm fine with a tech making a decent rate, charge more for your labor rate and double the price of your refrigerant and I've got no complaints, but this new 1,000% markup on the refrigerant is rightfully ******* people off.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Don’t want to derail this thread, but have a quick question. I have 2 cans of R12 are they of any value?

 

[SGKent]

yes. Check on craigslist ebay etc to see what the prices are. Someone with a 70's or 80's car may not want to change over to later refrigerants. There was a point a few years back when R-12 was in high demand and folks were charging $80 $90 a can. It has dropped since then. One ad here shows 10 clean non-rusty Igloo cans for $200. I do believe there is a legal burden on both the seller to verify, and buyer to have proper license.

 

[oldgoaly]

Damn, I remember buying r22 for a 1$ pound had to buy a bunch. but it didn't go bad.

 

[bonneyman]

Locally companies are charging anywhere from $100 to $300 a pound.

Last time I checked (about 6 months ago) at my supply house it was about $500 for a 30 pound jug wholesale (i.e. about $17 a pound wholesale). I was charging $40 a pound for my customers....but then I like sleeping at night.

 

[PartsGuy]

The new automotive refrigerant R1234yf goes wholesale for $600.... for a 10lb cylinder! We now bill 1234yf by the OUNCE at our dealership..... Also, I have to be EPA-certified to purchase a 10lb of 1234yf (or a 30lb of R134a), but any ******* can walk into Autozone and buy a small hand grenade of refrigerant without any credentials or recovery equipment.
My father-in-law sold/serviced dairy equipment for years, and would absolutely **** if he saw how much "freon" costs these days!

 

[Jim greengo]

Don’t want to derail this thread, but have a quick question. I have 2 cans of R12 are they of any value?

If you have something old enough to use it in,I still have a jug of 414b I used to use for r22 systems.

 

[bonneyman]

The new automotive refrigerant R1234yf goes wholesale for $600.... for a 10lb cylinder! We now bill 1234yf by the OUNCE at our dealership..... Also, I have to be EPA-certified to purchase a 10lb of 1234yf (or a 30lb of R134a), but any ******* can walk into Autozone and buy a small hand grenade of refrigerant without any credentials or recovery equipment.
My father-in-law sold/serviced dairy equipment for years, and would absolutely **** if he saw how much "freon" costs these days!

Ditto with my dad.

I remember when R-12 cans were $1. Nobody really looked hard for leaks - they just kept a couple of cans around to top 'em off every spring.

 

[86turbodsl]

Pricing has been absurd for a while now. I got 608 and 609 certified and invested in equipment to head this **** off at the pass. F*em.

 

[slow]

The new automotive refrigerant R1234yf goes wholesale for $600.... for a 10lb cylinder! We now bill 1234yf by the OUNCE at our dealership..... Also, I have to be EPA-certified to purchase a 10lb of 1234yf (or a 30lb of R134a), but any ******* can walk into Autozone and buy a small hand grenade of refrigerant without any credentials or recovery equipment.
My father-in-law sold/serviced dairy equipment for years, and would absolutely **** if he saw how much "freon" costs these days!

And those who know what they are doing, skip the grenade cans, search for the 1 or 2 pure 134a cans and charge the system correctly.

My 2017 Tahoe has the R1234yf stuff, I hope I never need to service it.

 

[PartsGuy]

Exactly my point. THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING are hamstrung by EPA regulations... Joe dipshit on the other hand, can do pretty much whatever he likes, and does anybody give a damn in Washington? Noooooo, they just make up extra hurdles for the people who are already doing things safely, correctly, and legally in the first place. Makes it look like they're doing something to justify their huge paychecks.

 

[fsae0607]

And those who know what they are doing, skip the grenade cans, search for the 1 or 2 pure 134a cans and charge the system correctly.

My 2017 Tahoe has the R1234yf stuff, I hope I never need to service it.

Are you guys talking about the R134a cans with the trigger, cheap gauge and sealant **** in it?

 

[bonneyman]

Heck, I just saw a grenade can of R134a at a goodwill store! Anybody could buy it and install it.
When a licensed contractor has to be certified to buy freon how can he compete with scenarios like this?

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Thank God it’s only one can!

 

[PartsGuy]

Are you guys talking about the R134a cans with the trigger, cheap gauge and sealant **** in it?

I generally use the phrase for any of the 1lb cans, but the ones with all the sealer, dyes, etc... are the worst. I mean obviously you KNOW there's a leak in the system if you're trying to trace it or seal it, and these clowns still dump can after can into their system because it "isn't cold enough".
The ones with the cheap gauges and plastic quick-connectors are awesome, too... makes you an instant expert.

 

[Jim greengo]

They can have my r22 systems when they pry them from my cold dead fingers,or when a compressor goes belly up.
I dont do compressors,too much damned work.
I'll change out a condensing unit before a compressor.

 

[bonneyman]

They can have my r22 systems when they pry them from my cold dead fingers,or when a compressor goes belly up.
I dont do compressors,too much damned work.
I'll change out a condensing unit before a compressor.

Yeah, it's almost easier to change the cond unit then a compressor.

 

[rharman]

They can have my r22 systems when they pry them from my cold dead fingers,or when a compressor goes belly up.
I dont do compressors,too much damned work.
I'll change out a condensing unit before a compressor.

That's pretty funny. Our compressor for upstairs seized up about 6 weeks ago. System is about 14 years old - not worth repairing so next week we're getting a new R410 16 SEER unit and a new furnace and ducting installed.

Still have an R22 system (Rheem) for downstairs. Going on 26 years old now.

 

[Jim greengo]

Yeah, it's almost easier to change the cond unit then a compressor.

Exactly,and you have a warrantee on the whole system that way.

 

[slow]

Are you guys talking about the R134a cans with the trigger, cheap gauge and sealant **** in it?

Yeap, I find it funny, I see so many people post "my AC is overcharged, I put one of the can on it and it went red immediately. So I let some out and it still doesn't cool"

 

[bonneyman]

Exactly,and you have a warrantee on the whole system that way.

Right! New compressors have a 1 year warranty (if you're lucky) - new units are 5 years (or more if you pay for the extended warranty).

Back in the day, I told my customers if the needed repair was more than 60% of a new unit - or the system was more than 12 years old with a major problem - then I'd recommend a new unit. But that was before all the new refrigerants, parts made in China, SEER ratings always being raised, etc. If I were still in business I don't know what I'd be recommending to folks.

 

[MattT]

Yeap, I find it funny, I see so many people post "my AC is overcharged, I put one of the can on it and it went red immediately. So I let some out and it still doesn't cool"

Then at the other extreme you've got the "I've put 5 cans in the truck and it still ain't cooling." ones. They're "in the red" with the compressor running

 

[slow]

True, seeing as many cars take 2 12 oz cans with an empty system. The stop leak and sealer is just a mess as well.

 

[nsula_country]

Pricing has been absurd for a while now. I got 608 and 609 certified and invested in equipment to head this **** off at the pass. F*em.

Same here. 608 Universal certified. We personally own 6 systems. Haven't called a "professional HVAC" in over 20 years.

There's a little project thread in my signature... Not bad for an "unlicensed" installer IMHO.

Price charged for refrigerant is comical to criminal. Its like charging $300 for a cap and a service call on top. $50-$75/lb is reasonable for first few LBS. For a full system charge, its criminal when I can buy (legally) R22 for about $400/30 lb. Or $13.33/lb. Is 400%+ markup not enough to buy bread?

You guys charging a service call PLUS $125+ a pound amaze me. But, it's your customers.

CT

 

[danski0224]

The per pound price typically includes labor and diagnostics.

The service call is to get the truck, tools and technician (salesman?) onsite.

So yes, the two charges are separate.

 

[nsula_country]

Friend called me last week. Had 1.5T 410a heat pump "topped off". 2 years old, on 2nd compressor, suction line filter still installed from last year. Said condenser was cycling on and off. Put my SMAN360 on it and it was hitting 600 psi, tripping high limit, subcool was about 40*... Licensed contractor "gas n go"... No idea what they charged, don't care, but it wasn't right.

Recovered about a pound. Will run until leaks down again. I will end up replacing it for them soon. It was hacked from the word go.

CT

 

[bonneyman]

Same here. 608 Universal certified. We personally own 6 systems. Haven't called a "professional HVAC" in over 20 years.

There's a little project thread in my signature... Not bad for an "unlicensed" installer IMHO.

Price charged for refrigerant is comical to criminal. Its like charging $300 for a cap and a service call on top. $50-$75/lb is reasonable for first few LBS. For a full system charge, its criminal when I can buy (legally) R22 for about $400/30 lb. Or $13.33/lb. Is 400%+ markup not enough to buy bread?

You guys charging a service call PLUS $125+ a pound amaze me. But, it's your customers.

CT

I've seen that. R&R'd the cap, put one of mine in for $37.50, and told her call back the other company and complain to the boss. They refunded her $300, and he said I probably put in a used cap at that price. I told her my mark-up schedule, and we all buy our parts from the same group of warehouses, and could have my warehouse print up a price quote on company letterhead to prove it. But she said she already trusted me more than the first company already.

I'm not ashamed of what I charge. But maybe I didn't charge enough. Didn't make enough money toward the end and closed - so what do I know?

 

[bonneyman]

Friend called me last week. Had 1.5T 410a heat pump "topped off". 2 years old, on 2nd compressor, suction line filter still installed from last year. Said condenser was cycling on and off. Put my SMAN360 on it and it was hitting 600 psi, tripping high limit, subcool was about 40*... Licensed contractor "gas n go"... No idea what they charged, don't care, but it wasn't right.

Recovered about a pound. Will run until leaks down again. I will end up replacing it for them soon. It was hacked from the word go.

CT

Hopefully the "technician" charged that system with dedicated R410a gauges and hoses. More than once I've seen poor techs or those just starting trying to save on costs and using a R22 manifold and hoses to do R410a.

High pressure cutoff on R22 is around 425 PSIG - R410a is more like 625. I sure wouldn't want to be standing next to a guy who's hose pops and flips around like a freaking angry snake at 600+ PSI!

 

[86turbodsl]

There's a little project thread in my signature... Not bad for an "unlicensed" installer IMHO.

I remember your install. Not too shabby indeed! Well done!

I like that sort of thing. I did all my own radiant work, and getting ready for HVAC on the barn. DIY heat pump.