Are You And Your Home Warranty Ready For The R-22 (Freon) Phaseout?

The industry standard for air conditioning refrigerant since the 1950s, Freon or R-22 now faces a phaseout in the coming year. For you, a homeowner with an existing R-22 system, this might mean a higher cost for repair if needed.

Here's some background info on the R-22: Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants like R-22 simply put are gases that attract warm air from surrounding sources. A cooling effect is achieved by the R-22 with the help of HVAC coils by converting the warm air into liquid that is then released back into a gaseous state. As evidenced through the decades it's been used, R-22 proved to be an efficient refrigerant by taking less pressure to compress the warm air into liquid as well as having the highest heat absorption rate when returning to a gaseous state.

However, CFCs have been linked to the depletion of the ozone layer as early as the 1970s. The Clean Air Act of 1990 thus enacted a phaseout of R-22 and effective January 1, 2020, manufacturers can no longer produce new R-22 refrigerant or import it. By December 31, 2029, R-22 should have been replaced by either the fluorine-based and much more energy efficient R-410A or other EPA approved refrigerants that do not contribute to ozone depletion.

Refrigerant is expensive now, what with the greatest cost in repairing existing R-22 systems in the price of R-22 itself. And it’s only getting pricier as the 2020 R-22 phaseout approaches and aging systems escalate the demand.

R-22 is not running out soon, though. There is ample inventory of new R-22 throughout the year 2020 while reclaimed or purified R-22 is approved for use until December 31, 2029. Reclaimed or purified R-22 is also available for HVAC repairs until at least 2025.

Despite the availability, homeowners can expect to pay $125 or more per pound for R-22 if a repair is needed. But that may not be the case if you happen to have Old Republic Home Protection’s home warranty plan.

ORHP's home warranty plan covers the cost of adding refrigerant, including R-22, when completing a covered A/C repair. While other home warranty companies may allow cheaper alternative refrigerants to be added to an R-22 system, ORHP Service Providers have been instructed to never resort to alternative refrigerants in lieu of the R-22.

When necessary, ORHP's home warranty plan also cover the conversion of an R-22 system to an R-410A system during a covered repair, saving you thousands of dollars. Without a home warranty plan, homeowners may pay more than $5,000 out of pocket for the upgrade.

Now don't get caught without a home warranty plan once the R-22 phaseout is in effect- get a quote or place an application for an Old Republic Home Protection home warranty plan today!

*Exclusions and limitations apply. Depending on your state, additional fees may be required for A/C coverage to apply. See your current state Plan for complete coverage details.

Are You And Your Home Warranty Ready For The R-22 (Freon) Phaseout?