Residential Air Conditioning and  the
Phaseout  of HCFC-22
What You Need to Know                            -  _
What Is the HCFC Phaseout?
Under the U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer, the United States is phasing out the production
and import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
in order to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
By phasing out the production of ozone-depleting
substances like HCFCs, we are reducing the risk of
skin cancer caused by exposure to UV radiation. In
addition, many of these ozone-depleting substances,
as well as their substitutes, are greenhouse gases that
contribute to climate change.

No Immediate Change Is Required
HCFC-22, commonly referred to as R-22, is used
as a refrigerant in many applications, including
residential air conditioning (AC) systems. Starting
on January 1, 2020, U.S. production and import
of HCFC-22 will end, but you may continue to
use HCFC-22  in your existing system for as long
as necessary. HCFC-22 that is recovered and
reclaimed, along with HCFC-22 produced prior to
2020, will help meet the needs of owners of existing
HCFC-22 systems.
   How can I find out if my home
   air conditioner contains HCFC-22?
   Most air conditioners have a nameplate
   on the unit that identifies the refrigerant it
   contains and other information, such as safety
   certifications and electrical ratings.

Planning for the Future Is Important
Even though there is no immediate need for
change, HCFC-22 supply will decline over the
next few years, and prices may rise. By asking
your service technician to check for leaks and
perform preventive maintenance, you can help
keep your refrigerant emissions down and
reduce the need to purchase additional
HCFC-22. Air conditioning equipment generally
runs most efficiently on the type of refrigerant it
was designed for, but when the time does come
to replace or retrofit your system, there are many
non-ozone-depleting alternatives available.

What Alternatives Can  Be Used
Instead of HCFC-22?
Many non-ozone-depleting alternatives to
HCFC-22 are available. See the table on the
next page for some of the most common
non-ozone-depleting alternatives that are listed
as acceptable under EPAs Significant  New
Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program. Some of
these alternatives are for new residential AC
systems, while others are listed for use in both
new and retrofitted residential AC systems. A
full list of acceptable alternatives under SNAP
is available at www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/
ref rigerants/lists/homeac. html.

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         Acceptable Non-Ozone-Depleting Alternatives to HCFC-22 for Residential AC
Chemical
R-134a
R-407C
R-410A
R-407A
GWP
1,430
1,770
2,090
2,110
Ozone Depleting?
No
No
No
No
Retrofit

X

X
New
X
X
X
X
GWP = Global Warming Potential. GWP is a measure of how much a given mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to
contribute to global warming relative to the same mass of carbon dioxide.

If your service technician is retrofitting a system, be sure he or she recovers any HCFC-22 still in your AC,
follows the manufacturer's suggested handling and installation guidelines for that particular alternative, and
explains how the conversion to a different refrigerant might affect your system's performance and energy use.

Are There Other Refrigerant Regulations Affecting Residential AC?
Yes. Under the Clean Air Act and EPA's regulations, it is illegal for anyone servicing, repairing, maintaining or
disposing of AC equipment to intentionally vent the refrigerant.

For Further Information
•  Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout
•  Section 608 of the Clean Air Act: Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/
   downloads/Section_608_FactSheet2010.pdf

Other EPA  Resources for Homeowners
•  Frequently Asked Questions About Repairing or Replacing Your Home Air Conditioner: www.epa.gov/
   ozone/title6/phaseout/ac_repair_replacing.html
•  Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/                 	
   phaseoutyhomeowners_faq.html
•  Indoor Air Quality in Homes: www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/index.html                 :^^^=
•  ENERGY STAR® Energy Savings at Home: www.energystar.                          =
   gov/campaign/home?c=homejmprovement.hmjmprovement_                      =
   index&s=mega
FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/classtwo.html or contact EPA at
1 -800-296-1996 or www.epa.gov/ozone/comments.htm.
     Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper with a minimum
     50% post-consumer waste using vegetable-based inks.
Office of Air and Radiation (6205T)
        EPA-430-F-14-018B
            October 2014

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