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On January 1, 2010, production and import of virgin HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will be banned. Exceptions will be available for servicing of equipment made before this date (the so-called “servicing tail”), for export, and for processes resulting in transformation or destruction of the substances.
On January 1, 2015, production and import of other virgin Class II substances will be banned. Exceptions will be available for use as a refrigerant in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2020, as well as for export and for processes resulting in transformation or destruction.
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R22 is being replaced by R410a or "Puron", which was developed by Carrier Corp. It has a much higher operating pressure and requires its own set of equipment to deal with it.
You WILL NOT be able to simply 'convert' your existing equipment to use the new refrigerant as they did with the
cars. The entire system must be replaced.
If you have a split system unit with the air handler/furnace in the attic, this will be especially problematic as the
evaporator coil, (at least), will have to be changed. Some mfg's will offer coils that will fit existing air handlers
and furnaces, others will not.
There is no definite word yet at to whether or not we will have to replace the copper tubing, (lineset), between
the two pieces of equipment. It varies by piping type/quality for the most part.
Puron is considerably more expensive at this point in time and inevitably the price of R22 will skyrocket to
where its not pratical to keep charging these units and they must be replaced. Eventually you won't be able
to get R22 at all.
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