R22 refrigerant, often called Freon, has not been produced or imported in the United States since January 1, 2020. Homeowners can legally keep using a working R22 air conditioner, but repairs depend on a shrinking supply of recovered and reclaimed refrigerant, so most R22 systems are eventually replaced with equipment that uses a newer refrigerant.
The rules around home cooling refrigerants have changed more than once since R22 was phased out, and the replacement that took its place, R-410A, is now being phased down as well. For Dallas homeowners who depend on their air conditioning through long, hot summers, those changes affect repair costs, equipment choices, and the timing of AC replacement in Dallas. The sections that follow explain where each refrigerant stands today and how to decide what to do with an older system.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. production and import of R22 refrigerant ended on January 1, 2020, under EPA rules.
- A working R22 air conditioner can legally stay in service for as long as it continues to run.
- R-410A, often sold under the name Puron, cannot be added to an air conditioner designed for R22.
- New residential AC systems are moving to refrigerants with a global warming potential below 700, such as R-454B and R-32.
- Existing R-410A systems can still be serviced and repaired throughout their useful life.
What Is R22 Refrigerant?
R22 refrigerant is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, also called HCFC-22, that was the standard refrigerant in home air conditioners and heat pumps for decades. Many homeowners know it as Freon, a brand name that became shorthand for AC refrigerant in general.
A refrigerant is the fluid an air conditioner circulates to absorb heat from inside the home and release it outdoors. R22 did that job well, but it contains chlorine, which damages the ozone layer when the refrigerant leaks or is released. That environmental impact is what led to its phaseout.
Why Was R22 Freon Phased Out?
R22 was phased out because it is an ozone-depleting substance, and the U.S. committed to ending its production under international agreements to protect the ozone layer. The phaseout happened in stages over many years rather than all at once.
According to the EPA, U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 ended on January 1, 2020. That date did not make existing R22 systems illegal. The EPA’s guidance for homeowners states that you may continue to use HCFC-22 in an existing system for as long as necessary, and that recovered and reclaimed R22 helps meet the needs of owners who still have these systems.
The gradual approach gave homeowners time to plan. An immediate ban would have forced millions of working air conditioners out of service at once, so the rules instead stopped new supply and let the existing equipment reach the end of its natural life.
Can You Still Get R22 Refrigerant?
Yes, R22 refrigerant is still available for servicing existing systems, but the only supply comes from refrigerant that has been recovered from old equipment, cleaned, and reclaimed, or from older stock. Because no new R22 is being made, supply keeps shrinking and service costs for these systems tend to rise.
The bigger issue is usually a leak. An air conditioner is a sealed system, so low refrigerant almost always means refrigerant is escaping somewhere. Simply adding more R22 without repairing the leak is a temporary fix at best. Professional refrigerant leak repair and recharge finds the source of the loss first, which matters even more when every pound of refrigerant is expensive and in limited supply.
Federal rules also make it illegal for anyone to knowingly vent or release refrigerant into the air. A qualified technician recovers refrigerant properly whenever a system is opened, repaired, or removed.
Is R-410A (Puron) Better Than R22?
R-410A is better than R22 for the environment because it does not deplete the ozone layer, and systems built for R-410A are generally more efficient than the R22 systems they replaced. R-410A was developed in the early 1990s by AlliedSignal, now part of Honeywell, and it is widely sold under the trade name Puron.
R-410A is not a perfect solution. It is a hydrofluorocarbon, or HFC, with a high global warming potential, which is a measure of how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide. That high global warming potential is why R-410A is now being phased down for new equipment.
R-410A also cannot be used as a drop-in replacement for R22. The two refrigerants operate at very different pressures and require different oils and components, so an R22 system cannot simply be refilled with R-410A. The EPA notes that air conditioning equipment generally runs most efficiently on the refrigerant it was designed for.
This table compares the refrigerants homeowners are most likely to encounter today:
| Refrigerant | Damages Ozone Layer? | Status for Home AC Systems | Typical Equipment |
| R22 (Freon) | Yes | Production and import ended in 2020; existing systems may still be serviced | Older systems installed before the switch to R-410A |
| R-410A (Puron) | No | No longer allowed in most newly manufactured home systems; existing systems may still be serviced | Most systems installed through 2024 |
| R-454B and R-32 | No | Used in new home systems because their global warming potential is below 700 | New systems installed from 2025 forward |
What Is Happening to R-410A?
R-410A is being phased down for new equipment, but it is not banned for existing systems. Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, the EPA set a global warming potential limit of 700 for new residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems, starting January 1, 2025.
That rule means most new home systems are now built to use lower global warming potential refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32. These newer refrigerants are classified as mildly flammable, so the equipment that uses them includes added safety features and must be installed by trained technicians who follow the manufacturer’s requirements.
The EPA has also eased the transition for equipment already in the supply chain. A 2026 EPA rule removed the federal installation deadline for qualifying systems built entirely from components that were manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025, so remaining R-410A inventory can still be installed. Existing R-410A systems may continue to be serviced and repaired throughout their useful life, and components used to repair them are not subject to the new restrictions.
What Are the Drawbacks of Replacing an R22 System?
The main drawbacks of replacing an R22 air conditioner are the upfront cost and the feeling of being pushed to replace equipment that still works. Both concerns are real, and both are easier to manage with planning.
- Higher upfront cost: A full system replacement is a significant investment, and many Dallas homes still have older R22 equipment running. Replacing an R22 system on your own timeline, rather than after a midsummer failure, gives you time to compare options and use HVAC financing if it helps spread out the cost. Newer, more efficient systems also use less electricity, which offsets part of the investment over the life of the equipment.
- A compulsion to buy: Texans value independence, and nobody likes being told what to do with their money. The rules do not force anyone to remove a working R22 system, but rising refrigerant costs eventually make continued repairs hard to justify.
Despite these drawbacks, moving away from R22 is a sound investment in your home’s comfort and efficiency. It is simply one to prepare for, both financially and in terms of timing.
Should You Repair or Replace an R22 Air Conditioner?
Repair an R22 air conditioner when the problem is minor and does not involve the refrigerant circuit, and plan to replace it when it needs a major refrigerant-side repair or has a recurring leak. That simple rule covers most situations our technicians see.
In our service calls throughout the Dallas area, these situations usually point toward each choice:
- Repair makes sense: A failed capacitor, contactor, fan motor, or thermostat issue on an otherwise healthy system that is holding its refrigerant charge.
- Replacement makes sense: A failed compressor, a leaking evaporator or condenser coil, or a system that needs R22 added every summer.
- A closer look is needed: A system that runs but struggles to keep up on hot afternoons, has rising energy bills, or has not been checked in several years.
When the right choice is unclear, a professional HVAC inspection gives you a full picture of the system’s condition, refrigerant charge, and remaining life before you spend money on either path.
Frequently Asked Questions About R22 Refrigerant
Is It Illegal to Use R22 Refrigerant?
No, it is not illegal to use R22 refrigerant in an existing air conditioner. The 2020 phaseout ended new production and import, but the EPA allows homeowners to keep using existing R22 systems for as long as they run.
Why Is R22 Refrigerant So Expensive?
R22 refrigerant is expensive because no new supply is being produced or imported in the United States. The only available R22 comes from reclaimed refrigerant and older stock, and that limited supply keeps prices high for the repairs that still need it.
Can an R22 System Be Converted to a Different Refrigerant?
Some R22 systems can be retrofitted with an alternative refrigerant listed as acceptable under the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. A retrofit may change the system’s performance and energy use, so a technician should evaluate the equipment first and recover any remaining R22 before making the change.
Is R-410A Being Banned?
R-410A is not banned for existing systems. New residential systems manufactured or imported since January 1, 2025, must use a refrigerant with a global warming potential below 700, but existing R-410A systems can still be serviced and repaired.
How Do I Know Which Refrigerant My AC Uses?
The refrigerant type is listed on the nameplate of the outdoor condensing unit. Most air conditioners have this label, which shows the refrigerant name and the factory charge. If the label is missing or hard to read, a technician can confirm the refrigerant during a service visit.
Planning Your Move Away From R22 Refrigerant
R22 refrigerant is no longer produced, so every R22 air conditioner will eventually need to be replaced, and planning that replacement before a summer breakdown gives you the most control over cost and timing. Newer systems also put you on refrigerants that will remain serviceable for years to come.
Ellis Air Conditioning & Heating has helped Dallas-area homeowners choose the right cooling solutions since 1975. Our team can answer your questions about R22, R-410A, and the newest refrigerants, and help you make the switch as smoothly and cost-effectively as possible. When you are ready, request a free estimate from our team.