R-22 Phase Out Update - Summer 2017
The federally mandated phase out of R-22 is now in its final few years, and from all accounts, more refrigerant users have transitioned away from using R-22 in 2017 than all previous years combined. From May of 2016 to May of 2017, R-22 prices increased nearly 100%. However, this year the rapid acceptance of R-22 replacement refrigerants exceeded all expectations. The dramatic market shift led to another industry surplus, and R-22 prices began to recede during peak season. Knowing that the EPA will only allocate 9 million lbs. of virgin R-22 in 2018, and the refrigerant reclaim industry will likely produce less than 9 million lbs. in 2017, the surplus will be short lived and prices will begin to rebound moving into the new year.
The use of R-22 replacement refrigerants will continue to grow for several years to come, as will the sales of new equipment charged with a next generation refrigerant (mostly R-410A). Although the original EPA models presumed there would be over 19 million R-22 designed systems still in operation in the year 2020, the dry charge system “loop hole” exploited by equipment producers from 2010 to 2016, added millions of new systems that were not considered in the original models. Dry charge system sales had a dramatic impact on the acceptance and use of R-22 replacements, and they extended the usefulness of these products by many years.
Although the clear majority of R-22 system conversions have been successful, some refrigerant users have encountered post conversion performance issues. In most cases, these issues were determined to be the result of misapplication, and or poor preparation. Before using an ASHRAE 400 series HFC refrigerant to replace R-22, users should thoroughly read the refrigerant producer’s conversion guidelines. The industry has identified many systems and applications that are unqualified for use with an R-22 replacement refrigerant, or, in some applications, and with a few specific refrigerants, the replacement requires additional retrofit considerations to insure adequate performance. One of the most important considerations is oil compatibility. All the mainstream R-22 replacements are HFC blends. HFC blends that do not contain a hydrocarbon component will require the use of POE oil in many applications. The most successful R-22 replacements (R-422B/NU-22B?, and R-438A) contain hydrocarbon components and are ASHRAE safety classified A1 (non-toxic/non-flammable).
For more information on the proper selection and use of R-22 replacement refrigerants, go to: www.icorinternational.com, or call ICOR's toll free technical support line at (866) 433-8324.
Gordon McKinney
VP/COO
ICOR International, Inc.
As projected, allocations for 2019 (and even 2018) could be considered trivial, resulting in increased demand for both R-22 reclaim and high quality drop ins. The disappearance of virgin R-22 more or less already here.