Did you know that the production of R-22 (aka “Freon”) became illegal in 2020?
Right now, R-22 is being phased out of HVAC systems due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has permanently banned R-22 production, effective January 1, 2020.
This “Freon Ban” is a component of the “Montreal Protocol”, a proactive plan developed in 1987 by several nations to combat and prevent damage to the ozone layer. The primary motivation of the “Montreal Protocol” was a plan to eliminate harmful synthetic chemicals known to cause irreversible damage to the ozone layer. The phasing out of R-22 has been done incrementally since the signing of the “Montreal Protocol”, with the most notable changes taking place between 2020-2030.
Starting in 2020, all production and importation of R-22 became illegal in response to this new global agreement. This means that all commercial and residential service providers are now fully reliant on recycled or repurposed R-22 to refill and maintain older systems. As a result, should a unit begin to develop a leak, it will not be as simple– or as cost effective — of a repair as it may have been before.
While Mattex can continue to service your equipment, the availability of R-22 will become increasingly limited and costly over time, as service providers are now entirely dependent upon recycled R-22. Owners of HVAC systems that require R-22 to operate are strongly encouraged to upgrade their equipment as soon as possible to avoid potential service disruptions.
If your current HVAC system utilizes R-22, Mattex wants to help you upgrade your equipment through our R-22 buyback program! To learn more about if you’re eligible for Mattex’s R-22 buyback program, call (217) 425-3527 or schedule a consultation with a Comfort Consultant today.
