8.4 R-22 Phaseout and Retrofit Considerations
Key Takeaways
- R-22 production ended January 1, 2020 — only reclaimed/recycled is available
- R-407C is the most common R-22 replacement but is NOT a true drop-in
- R-22 to R-407C retrofit requires: oil change (mineral to POE), filter-drier replacement, TXV adjustment
- R-407C is zeotropic — must be liquid-charged and has ~9°F temperature glide
- Always update the equipment label when changing refrigerant type
8.4 R-22 Phaseout and Retrofit Considerations
R-22 has been the workhorse refrigerant for decades, but its HCFC classification means it is being eliminated. Understanding the phaseout timeline and retrofit options is critical for Type II technicians working on the millions of legacy R-22 systems still in operation.
R-22 Phaseout Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2004 | R-22 banned in NEW equipment (with limited exceptions) |
| January 1, 2010 | Production/import reduced to serve existing equipment |
| January 1, 2020 | All new production and import of R-22 ended |
| January 1, 2030 | Complete HCFC phaseout (all types) |
Current R-22 Availability (2026)
As of 2026, R-22 can ONLY be obtained from:
- Reclaimed R-22 (processed to AHRI 700 purity by certified reclaimers)
- Recycled R-22 (recovered from same-owner equipment)
- Existing stockpiles (legally obtained before the production ban)
Prices have increased significantly due to limited supply, making R-22 increasingly expensive to use.
Retrofit Options for R-22 Systems
When R-22 becomes too expensive or unavailable, several options exist:
| Option | Approach | Cost | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in replacement | Replace R-22 with an approved substitute (R-407C, R-422D) | Moderate | Not truly "drop-in" — adjustments needed |
| System retrofit | Change refrigerant and replace incompatible components | Higher | Requires oil change (mineral to POE), new filter-drier, TXV adjustment |
| System replacement | Install entirely new system with modern refrigerant | Highest | Best long-term solution; new efficiency; R-454B or R-32 |
R-407C as an R-22 Replacement
R-407C is the most common retrofit replacement for R-22:
- Zeotropic blend (R-32/R-125/R-134a)
- Operating pressures similar to R-22
- GWP: 1,774 (lower than R-410A's 2,088)
- Requires POE oil — the entire mineral oil charge must be changed
- Has significant temperature glide (~9°F) — affects superheat/subcooling readings
- Must be liquid charged (zeotropic blend)
- Filter-drier and TXV may need replacement or adjustment
- Not a true "drop-in" — performance characteristics differ from R-22
Retrofit Procedure (R-22 to R-407C)
- Recover all R-22 from the system
- Drain and replace the oil — change from mineral oil to POE
- Run the system briefly with POE oil, then recover refrigerant and drain the oil again (triple oil change may be needed to remove mineral oil residue below 5%)
- Replace the filter-drier (new filter-drier rated for HFC/POE)
- Check and adjust the TXV — R-407C may require different settings
- Evacuate the system to 500 microns
- Liquid-charge R-407C (must be liquid because it is zeotropic)
- Test operation — verify superheat, subcooling, and system performance
- Update the equipment label — clearly indicate the new refrigerant type
For the Exam: R-407C is NOT a true drop-in for R-22 — it requires oil change (mineral to POE), liquid charging, and TXV adjustment. R-22 production ended January 1, 2020 — only reclaimed or recycled R-22 is available. Always label equipment when changing refrigerant type.
When did all new production and import of R-22 end?
When retrofitting an R-22 system to R-407C, what oil change is required?
Why must R-407C be charged as liquid only?