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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.
Puron is considerably more expensive at this moment than R-22. Inevitably the price of R22 will surpass the
price of Puron and the price of Puron will probably drop a little.
It is no longer practical to keep charging leaking units. They MUST be replaced.
Eventually you won't be able to get R22 at all.
USE YOUR BROWSERS BACK BUTTON
