Should I hesitate to buy a new air conditioner or heat pump because of refrigerant phase-outs?
A. EPA regulations call for the eventual phase out of R22, which is the refrigerant used in current air conditioner and heat pump equipment. Products that use HCFC refrigerants, such as R22, must stop being produced by the year 2010. All production of R22 refrigerant will stop by 2020. Therefore, there is no need to hesitate buying current air conditioning or heat pump equipment. The air conditioning industry has worked closely with the EPA to coordinate the eventual HCFC phase-out so that consumers can have confidence that the products they purchase today will be capable of supplying their home or office heating and cooling needs for the full expected life-span of the air conditioner or heat pump. Sufficient quantity of R22 refrigerant will continue to be produced for any service needs that may arise until 2020. After 2020, recycled refrigerants will be available, for many years, which will safely fulfill all service need for products that use #R22.
