R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant, containing chlorine.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its final schedule for the R-22 phaseout, which it has described as an “aggressive linear reduction,” including a 57% reduction from the 2014 allocation of R-22. By January 1, 2020, there will be no new or imported R-22. Click Here to learn more.
What is R-22?
R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant, containing chlorine. This means that the release of R-22 depletes the ozone layer. So to protect and hopefully repair the ozone layer the production and import of R-22 coolant is being phased out.
What this means for building owners and property managers is that now is the time to start planning for the future. During your next HVAC maintenance visit talk to your technician about your options. This will allow you to develop a strategy and budget for life without R-22.
A Message from Tim Kraus, Crockett Facilities Service Operations Manager
While R-22 is being phased out, our customer base is not reacting to this information. The older R-22 equipment will need to be replaced with newer higher efficient equipment; however, many firms’ capital budgets will not permit utilizing funds to replace this aged equipment. Consequently, the aged equipment continues to be repaired – and R-22 continues to be used. As the natural supply and demand dictates – R-22 pricing will soon skyrocket. These costs incurred by the contractor will be passed onto the customers. The repairs to these units will become more numerous and more costly until the operational concerns outweigh the budgetary concerns – that’s when equipment is replaced.
Unfortunately, this is a very short sighted approach to equipment management. If equipment is replaced today with higher efficient units, the incremental savings achieved in one’s utility bills will offset the budgetary concerns. Additionally, the newer equipment means less breakdowns – i.e. less maintenance and repair cost. Finally, newer equipment that is operational means more comfortable work environments. These comfortable work environments are a more productive environment for the employee.
In summary, these older R-22 HVAC units will need to be replaced soon. The question becomes – will property owners pay to replace the equipment now, or wait. If they wait, the budget for future operating expenses must factor in increased repair and maintenance expense as each service request becomes more and more costly in conjunction with the cost of R-22. Those property owners that wait will pay more in the long term than those that replace the aged equipment today.
- Tim Kraus, Service Operations Manager
To learn more about the R-22 Phaseout, please contact CFSI at 202.600.2787 or sales@crockett-facilities.com. As a commercial HVAC and mechanical contractor, CFSI’s MSCA STAR and GreenSTAR certified technicians help building owners, property managers, and facility engineers to lower their operating expenses and energy costs through preventive HVAC maintenance in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.
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