R-22 Refrigerant Guide
Legacy Refrigerant - Production Phased Out
R-22 Production Ended January 1, 2020
No new R-22 can be manufactured or imported in the United States. Only recycled/reclaimed R-22 is available for servicing existing equipment. Prices have increased significantly.
What is R-22?
R-22 (also known as HCFC-22, Freon 22, or Chlorodifluoromethane) was the standard refrigerant for residential air conditioning systems from the 1960s through the 2000s. It's a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that contributes to ozone layer depletion.
Under the Montreal Protocol and Clean Air Act, R-22 production was completely phased out in the United States as of January 1, 2020. Millions of R-22 systems remain in service and can still be repaired using recycled or reclaimed refrigerant.
Options for R-22 System Owners
- 1. Continue using R-22 - Service with reclaimed refrigerant (expensive)
- 2. Retrofit to drop-in - Convert to R-407C or R-422D (moderate cost)
- 3. Replace system - Install new R-410A or R-454B equipment (best long-term)
Technical Properties
| Chemical Name | Chlorodifluoromethane |
| Chemical Formula | CHClF₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 86.5 g/mol |
| Boiling Point (1 atm) | -40.8°C (-41.4°F) |
| Critical Temperature | 96.2°C (205.1°F) |
| Critical Pressure | 4990 kPa (724 psia) |
| Safety Classification | A1 (Non-toxic, Non-flammable) |
| GWP (100-year) | 1810 |
| ODP | 0.055 (depletes ozone) |
| Lubricant Type | Mineral Oil or Alkylbenzene |
R-22 Pressure-Temperature Chart
Full Chart →| Temp °F | Temp °C | Pressure (psig) | Pressure (kPa) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30°F | -1.1°C | 54.9 psig | 480 kPa |
| 35°F | 1.7°C | 60.6 psig | 520 kPa |
| 40°F | 4.4°C | 68.5 psig | 573 kPa |
| 45°F | 7.2°C | 74.4 psig | 614 kPa |
| 50°F | 10°C | 80.5 psig | 657 kPa |
| 80°F | 26.7°C | 121.5 psig | 939 kPa |
| 100°F | 37.8°C | 174.5 psig | 1304 kPa |
| 110°F | 43.3°C | 201.5 psig | 1490 kPa |
| 120°F | 48.9°C | 231.5 psig | 1697 kPa |
| 130°F | 54.4°C | 263.8 psig | 1920 kPa |
Blue = typical evaporator temp, Orange = typical condenser temp
R-22 Replacement Options
Drop-In / Near Drop-In Replacements
| Refrigerant | GWP | Oil Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-407C | 1774 | POE required | Most common retrofit; zeotropic blend |
| R-422D (MO29) | 2729 | Optional | Works with mineral oil; near drop-in |
| R-427A | 2138 | Optional | Works with mineral oil |
| R-438A (MO99) | 2265 | Optional | Works with mineral oil; closest match |
| R-407A | 2107 | POE required | Better for low-temp applications |
Retrofit Considerations
- • All retrofit refrigerants have temperature glide (zeotropic)
- • TXV adjustment may be needed
- • Capacity may be reduced 5-15%
- • Efficiency may decrease slightly
- • System must be properly evacuated before charging
R-22 Phase Out Timeline
1987 - Montreal Protocol
International agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances
2010 - New Equipment Ban
No new R-22 equipment manufactured in the U.S.
2015 - Production Reduction
R-22 production limited; prices began rising
January 1, 2020 - Complete Phase Out
No new R-22 production or import allowed
2020+ - Reclaimed Only
Only recycled/reclaimed R-22 available for service
Servicing R-22 Systems
Best Practices
- Always recover refrigerant - EPA requirement
- Repair leaks before recharging
- Use reclaimed R-22 from certified reclaimers
- Discuss replacement options with customer
Charging Guidelines
- Can be charged as liquid or vapor
- Target subcooling: 10-15°F (TXV)
- Target superheat: 10-15°F (fixed orifice)
- Uses mineral or alkylbenzene oil
Cylinder Identification
R-22
Light Green
ARI Standard 34 color code. Always verify on cylinder label.
R-22 Pricing
Since the 2020 production ban, R-22 prices have increased significantly:
- • 2015: ~$10-15/lb
- • 2020: ~$30-50/lb
- • 2024: ~$50-100+/lb
Prices vary by region and availability