Refrigerant Options After R-22: What Can Replace It

There is no drop-in replacement for R-22. Your existing system can keep running on R-22, it can be retrofitted with a different refrigerant that is approved for that use, or the whole system can be replaced with new equipment designed for a current refrigerant. Which path makes sense depends on the age of the unit, where it leaks, and what a retrofit would cost compared with new equipment. Below we explain each option, what the EPA says about it, and how Miami-Dade homeowners usually decide.

TL;DR

• R-22 is no longer produced or imported in the U.S., but you may keep using an existing system, and reclaimed R-22 is still legal for service.
• R-410A, R-32 and R-454B are for new equipment. They cannot be poured into an R-22 system.
• Real retrofit options exist (R-407C, R-407A, R-427A, R-438A, R-422B), but none is a drop-in, and each needs technician work on oil, seals and the filter-drier.
• Retrofit refrigerants generally do not match R-22 for performance or efficiency, so a leaking, older system is often better replaced.

Table of Contents

• The short answer: three paths, no shortcuts
• Where R-22 stands today
• Why you cannot just switch refrigerants
• Retrofit refrigerants that can work in an R-22 system
• Repair, retrofit or replace: how to decide
• Can you still get reclaimed R-22?
• What replacement looks like
• Our perspective on R-22 systems
• Get a flat-rate answer on your R-22 system
• FAQ
• Sources

The short answer: three paths, no shortcuts

The EPA states that no drop-in replacements for R-22 exist. Alternatives generally require component changes, and a technician must recover the remaining R-22 before any other refrigerant goes in.

That leaves you with three realistic options:

1. Keep servicing the system on R-22. Legal, but supply is shrinking and the refrigerant is getting more expensive.
2. Retrofit to an approved substitute. Possible on some systems, with trade-offs in performance and some added parts.
3. Replace the system. New equipment is built around a current refrigerant, with matching coils, compressor, oil and expansion device.

The rest of this article helps you pick between them.

Where R-22 stands today

Since January 1, 2020, no new HCFC-22 may be produced or imported in the United States. The EPA is clear that this does not force homeowners to replace or convert working equipment. Reclaimed R-22, cleaned to new-refrigerant specifications, can still be used, and intentionally venting it is illegal.

The EPA also says residential systems manufactured before 2010 may continue to be serviced with R-22. Conversions to a substitute are allowed only when that substitute is acceptable for the specific use.

In practice, if your air conditioner is a 2009 model or older and uses R-22, it is legally fine to run. The question is whether it is smart to keep paying for it.

Why you cannot just switch refrigerants

A refrigerant is not a fuel you swap at the pump. Each one has its own operating pressures, capacity, lubricant and flow characteristics. The EPA explains that moving to a new refrigerant means redesigned systems with components built for that specific refrigerant.

That is why the popular modern refrigerants are off the table for your old unit:

• R-410A is intended for new equipment, not retrofit. Arkema, a refrigerant manufacturer, warns that using it in R-22 equipment can cause poor performance, equipment damage or unsafe conditions. It runs at much higher pressures than R-22 and uses a different oil.
• R-32 and R-454B are among the refrigerants the EPA lists as acceptable in specified new comfort-cooling equipment, under use conditions. The same 2023 rule says they may not be used as conversion or retrofit refrigerants in existing equipment.

So if a friend or an online forum suggests “just put 410A in it,” the answer is no. It is unsafe for the equipment and not an approved use.

For more on the newer refrigerants and what they mean for a home that already has R-410A, see our guide to R-410A vs. R-32 for Miami-area homeowners and our look at the R-410A phaseout and signs it is time to replace.

Retrofit refrigerants that can work in an R-22 system

Some blends were developed specifically to run in equipment originally built for R-22. The EPA’s retrofit guide lists R-407C for air conditioning and medium-temperature systems, R-407A for medium- and low-temperature systems, and R-427A for air conditioning plus medium- and low-temperature direct-expansion systems. Manufacturers also publish retrofit guidance for R-438A (sold as MO99) and R-422B (sold as NU-22B), described as non-ozone-depleting options for existing direct-expansion air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.

The EPA is blunt about the limits. Retrofit refrigerants do not perform as well or as efficiently as R-22 overall, none is a drop-in, and no single option works in every R-22 system. They differ in pressure, capacity, efficiency, refrigerant flow, lubricant needs and global warming potential.

The performance picture is more favorable in the manufacturer and academic material. Chemours reports that MO99 and NU-22B generally deliver similar capacity and efficiency to R-22 in properly retrofitted systems, with lower compressor discharge temperature, though results depend on system design and operating conditions. A Purdue-published paper found similar cooling performance and efficiency for R-438A in most tested systems. Treat those as best-case results for a well-matched system, not a promise for your particular unit.

What a proper retrofit involves

A retrofit is a service procedure, not a top-off. Chemours’ MO99 procedure, for example, calls for recovering the R-22, replacing the filter-drier and critical seals or gaskets, evacuating and leak-checking the system, and charging the new refrigerant as a liquid. The initial charge is about 85% of the standard R-22 charge.

That sequence shows why the work belongs to a certified technician with recovery equipment. Homeowners should never try to vent R-22 or mix refrigerants. Mixing leaves a contaminated charge that cannot be reclaimed cleanly.

“Acceptable” does not mean “right for your unit”

The EPA’s SNAP program judges substitutes on ozone depletion, global warming potential, toxicity, flammability and exposure risk, and it updates its acceptable and unacceptable lists periodically. An approval is specific to an end use and can be narrowed by later rules and safety conditions. A refrigerant being on the list tells you it is allowed somewhere. Whether it suits your coil, compressor and metering device is a separate question a technician answers on site.

Repair, retrofit or replace: how to decide

The EPA’s advice for homeowners is to maintain the system, find and repair leaks instead of repeatedly topping off, and have equipment evaluated if it is more than 10 years old or no longer keeps the home comfortable. If it is inefficient, consider an ENERGY STAR replacement. Leak repair reduces emissions, future service costs and operating costs.

For commercial equipment the EPA frames three choices: keep operating and repair leaks, retrofit, or buy a new system. It adds that a new, more efficient system may cost more up front but can lower electricity costs over time, so owners should compare lifecycle cost against retrofit and continued repair.

Here is how that logic usually plays out for a system still running on R-22:

These are our rules of thumb, not EPA rules. A technician should confirm them on your actual equipment.

Why Miami homes tip toward replacement

Systems in South Florida run much of the year, with salty air and constant humidity. A unit old enough to contain R-22 has usually spent a long time under that load. If you are weighing a repair bill against new equipment, our guide to AC repair vs. replacement in Miami walks through the cost logic, and 7 signs you need a new AC system helps you spot the point where repairs stop paying off. If you suspect a leak, start with the refrigerant leak signs worth checking before a top-off.

A new system also changes your running costs. To estimate what an older, less efficient unit costs to run, an air conditioner electricity consumption calculator gives a useful starting point once you plug in your own local rate.

Can you still get reclaimed R-22?

Yes, for now. The EPA says reclaimed R-22 remains legal for servicing existing systems after the 2020 phaseout, although supply is expected to decline and prices may rise. For a homeowner, that means a recharge is possible but its cost is unpredictable, and you may be paying a premium to refill a system that will leak again.

One limit applies mainly to refrigeration: virgin R-22 is prohibited in systems manufactured on or after January 1, 2010, and after an expansion that increases cooling capacity it may not be used if the EPA presumes a new system is being manufactured. A technician can confirm your equipment’s manufacture date from its nameplate.

What replacement looks like

When you replace an R-22 system, you move to equipment designed for a current refrigerant. That is not just a refrigerant change. The indoor coil, outdoor unit and line set are matched to work together, which usually brings better efficiency, a manufacturer warranty on parts and a system that can be serviced for years without chasing scarce refrigerant.

Our published price range for AC installation and replacement is $6,000 to $14,000, depending on system size, type and the work your home requires. If your home is a good fit for a ductless setup, particularly for additions or rooms without ducts, compare it against central air in our central AC vs. mini-split guide. Heat pumps and ductless mini-splits are also available on our services page.

Ask any contractor for a flat-rate quote in writing before work starts. It should name the refrigerant, the equipment model, what is being removed and what the warranty covers. Our checklist on how to choose an HVAC company in Miami covers the rest.

Our perspective on R-22 systems

Most homeowners with an R-22 system do not call us because they want to talk about refrigerants. They call because the house is not cooling, a technician has quoted a recharge, and they are wondering whether that money is well spent.

Our view is simple. A recharge on an old system with a known leak is a short-term fix, and the next top-off may cost more because reclaimed R-22 supply is shrinking. A retrofit can make sense on a sound system when the right refrigerant is matched to the equipment, but it is real work with real limits, and the EPA itself says retrofit refrigerants generally do not match R-22 for efficiency.

That is why we start with a diagnosis, not a sales pitch. Our diagnostic fee starts at $89, and we give you a flat-rate price before any work begins. If the repair is sensible, we do it with factory-certified technicians and back it with our one-year repair warranty. If the system is at the end of its life, we show you the replacement options and financing so you can compare them against what you would keep spending on the old unit.

Replacement is not always the answer, but with a unit this old in Miami heat, it often is the calmer, cheaper path over several years.

Boreal

Get a flat-rate answer on your R-22 system

If your AC still runs on R-22 and you are deciding what to do, we can inspect it, tell you what refrigerant it holds, find the leak and give you a flat-rate price for each option. Book a visit through our AC repair page, where the diagnostic fee starts at $89. Same-day service is available across Miami-Dade, seven days a week.

If the system has already failed, our emergency AC repair service is built for that. Once your new or repaired system is running, a maintenance plan (Essential at $24.95 per month, Comfort at $47.92 per month or Concierge at $83.33 per month) helps catch small leaks before they become a full refrigerant loss.

FAQ

Can I put R-410A in my R-22 air conditioner?

No. R-410A is meant for new equipment, and using it in R-22 equipment can cause poor performance, damage or unsafe conditions. It operates at higher pressures and needs a different oil. The EPA also says refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B may not be used as retrofit refrigerants in existing equipment.

Is R-22 illegal to use?

No. Producing and importing new R-22 ended in 2020, but you can keep operating your system, and reclaimed R-22 may still be used to service it. What is illegal is intentionally releasing refrigerant into the air, so only a certified technician should handle it.

Which refrigerant is the closest substitute for R-22?

There is no single closest match. The EPA’s retrofit guide names R-407C, R-407A and R-427A, and manufacturers publish procedures for R-438A and R-422B. Which one fits depends on your system type and design, and none is a drop-in. A technician should choose based on your equipment.

Should I retrofit or replace my R-22 system in Miami?

Retrofit can suit a sound, relatively young system with a minor issue. If the unit is more than 10 years old, leaks repeatedly or has a failed compressor, replacement is usually the better value. Ask for flat-rate prices on both so you can compare lifecycle costs, not just today’s bill.

How do I know if my AC uses R-22?

Check the nameplate on the outdoor unit, which lists the refrigerant type and manufacture date. Systems built before 2010 commonly use R-22. If you cannot read the label, a technician can identify it during a diagnostic visit.

Sources

• EPA: Homeowners and Consumers Frequently Asked Questions
• EPA: Purchasing and Repairing Home Air-Conditioners or Heat Pumps
• EPA: Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment FAQ
• EPA: Choosing the Right R-22 Retrofit
• EPA SNAP: Substitutes in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
• Federal Register: 2023 EPA rule on refrigerant substitutes
• Arkema Forane refrigerants FAQ
• Chemours: Freon MO99 and NU-22B retrofit guidelines
• Chemours: Freon MO99 retrofit guidelines
• Purdue: Performance of R-438A in R-22 refrigeration and air-conditioning systems
• Air conditioner electricity consumption calculator

Recommended

• R-410A Phaseout: 3 Signs US Homeowners Should Replace Their AC
• R410A vs R32 for Miami Area Homeowners: Check Before You Replace
• 6 AC Refrigerant Leak Signs Homeowners Can Spot Before a Top Off