Everything you should know about the refrigerant laws in California

If you got to this page, you are probably wondering if your R22 Freon unit can still be serviced and if the refrigerant is still available. 

In 1992 the EPA (environmental protection agency) began to phase out R-22 Freon.

 In 2010 R-22 Freon stopped being used in new air conditioning systems like heat pumps and refrigeration systems.

In 2020 the EPA finally banned the production and import of R-22 Freon. 

For those of you who still have R-22 systems, you are probably wondering what this means to me? Essentially, all R-22 units that have a major repair requiring refrigerant will need to be replaced due to the new refrigerant laws. The good news is your unit will be a lot more energy efficient and operate quieter and more reliably for years to come. 

Repairs are normal as equipment starts to get up there in age and units are older than 10 years. Refrigerant leaks are extremely common because of formic acid causing pinholes in the evaporator coil and condensing coil. This phenomenon is called “formicary corrosion” where airborne contaminants such as “formic acid” which is usually present in household cleaning products condense on the cool copper coils leading to corrosion that create pinholes over time. 

The factors that influence this are

Poor air quality’s high levels of airborne contaminants will accelerate the corrosion process

Insufficient coil cleaning: regular cleaning during maintenance visits is crucial to removed accumulated contaminants

System age: older units have more built-up corrosion on copper coils making them more prone to leaking.

How do I know if I have an R22 Freon system

It is super easy to find out what kind of unit you have at home. If you look at the condenser unit outside, the label will say the refrigerant type right on it. You will look for something that says “R-22” If you have any questions or are unsure, you can absolutely snap a photo and send it into our office so we can help you out and let you know what you have. 

Should I wait to replace my HVAC Unit?

As a homeowner living in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, Air conditioning is critical to your homes comfort. Many times, the unit is so old that you are likely paying for a new air conditioning unit in payments to your power company because of the overage in electricity it takes. It is important to pick an energy star system that will be energy efficient when operating and be reliable when you need it. There are rebates and specials being offered to replace your HVAC system and it is always better to plan and budget for the unit you want, and take your time to understand what you are getting for it. Call your friends at Fleetwell at 855-295-8895 and have one of our knowledgeable technicians come out and show you all your options for upgrading your homes comfort.