R22 phase out?

[just1more]

I understand the r22 is going to be phased out. Does anyone have the information on how soon?

I have a 20 year old high efficiency "take out" furnace heating my shop. It has an A coil in it and I've been thinking of adding AC to my shop. I need to get the condenser coil for outside. I was hoping to find a used unit.

But, if r22 is going to be unavailable, is it even worth doing this?

 

[Ron Lombardo]

R-22 Phase out ... thats a done deal ... what ever equipment is left is all you will find. There is already talk about phase out 410 and replacing it with 404.

The good thing about 410 units is they are much more efficient so with the price of gas and electric it actually pays to upgrade your equipment and depending on which state you live in there are rebates.

 

[Mike007]

There are already drop-ins for R22 on the market. And R22 will be available for a lonnngggg time. But it will be expensive. While new R22 units aren't being produced, you can buy a "dry" unit and charge it whatever you want.

 

[JimL]

4 times as expensive as it was last year this time.

 

[just1more]

4 times as expensive as it was last year this time.

Thats what I'm hearing. I originally was hoping to pick up a used / or left over r22 condenser for "cheap". The guy that does my heating / AC doesnt have any used units/ or closeout deals on new r22 units. He said he could install one I find and charge it for a couple hundered bucks or so.

Sounds like everything to update to r410a is going to cost $1500/ maybe more. That 'aint gonna' happen.

Operating cost is also an issue, but being a shop that would only be cooled a few times a month, I dont think it would be that bad.


The complete ban on r22 is supposed to be 2020. I was hoping to get an r22 setup working for $500 or less. Once charged it should be good for at least 5 or 6 years?

Maybe by 2020 it would be time to change the furnace and all?


Gonna check with a "friend of a friend" that also does heating /AC later this week to get his input.

.

 

[brihvac]

Once charged it should be good for at least 5 or 6 years?


.

Unless you have a leak, you should never have to put any in. Also I have not seen any significant increase in the price of 410 units. They are just as cheap as the 22's. I just did a small side job and a R410 Ducane 2 ton unit was $485

 

[ezriderga]

4 times as expensive as it was last year this time.

The price is going up indeed. I paid $175 for 30# R-22 early last year and I see Granger sells it now for $538. Who knows how much it will be next year!

 

[Ron Lombardo]

" you can buy a "dry" unit and charge it whatever you want."

You can buy a dry unit ...but you cant charge it with what you want ... if you noticed the 410 units are twice the size of the old 22 units ? They are different. and when you do swap the units you need to either replace or flush the lines.

R

 

[geologist]

R-410A does not contribute to ozone depletion. However, it has a high global warming potential (1725 times the effect of carbon dioxide), similar to that of R-22.

Parts designed specifically for R-410A must be used as R-410A operates at higher pressures than other refrigerants. In the EU and here in the states, virgin R22 cannot be used for manufacture of new air conditioning or similar units as of January 1, 2010.

In systems where R-134a is not practical, an R-409A blend (60% R-22; 25% R-124; 15% R-142b) may be directly added to an R-12 system without an oil change. R-409A usually runs on the low-pressure side of the system at 12 pounds per square inch (psi), while R-12 usually runs on the low side at 10 psi. R-409A runs at higher pressures and is less efficient but works quite well.

 

[Mike007]

" you can buy a "dry" unit and charge it whatever you want."

The point being, you can buy a dry unit and charge it
"with what you want" which as the OP stated is R22.