Freon Prices Tripled In The Past 3 Years

Why is the Government Pushing the Switch from Freon to Puron?

Refrigerants (Freon and Puron) are gases that remove heat from surrounding sources through a continuous cycle of being compressed into liquid and then being released back into a gaseous state. As pressure is removed and the liquid returns to gas, the increasingly active molecules whisk away heat from available heat sources, leaving cooler temperatures behind.

In the 1970′s, a link was discovered between CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbon) such as Freon and the depletion of the ozone layer.  Under the Clean Air Act of 1990, R-22 a/k/a Freon is being phased out and must be replaced with R-410A a/k/a Puron or another EPA-approved refrigerant that does not contribute to ozone depletion.   As well as being nonflammable, noncorrosive and neutral to the environment, R-410A is also widely touted as being more energy efficient than its R-22 predecessor.

Should you replace your R-22 system now?

The greatest cost in repairing existing R-22 systems is in the cost of the R-22 itself. As manufacturing of R-22 slows to convert to R-410A and aging systems increase the demand, prices for R-22 refrigerant are skyrocketing. Over the last few years, from 2010 to 2012, we’ve seen R-22 prices nearly triple, as government imposed limits on manufacturing have created a perceived shortage in the industry.

The choice to replace an old R-22 air conditioning system is really one of economics. If a system is not malfunctioning, there is no need to replace it now.  However, if you continue to have problems such as slow refrigerant leaks that require adding R-22, you may want to consider an upgrade. Topping off the R-22, while much less expensive than replacing an entire air conditioning system, may become exceedingly expensive as prices continue to rise.

Right now, you can expect to pay anywhere from about $40 to $50 per pound for R-22 Freon if a repair is needed. A slow leak may require 2 to 4 pounds of refrigerant plus the cost of finding and repairing the leak. In other words, what once might have been a relatively inexpensive repair may now cost $350 or more. A complete system replacement could cost $5,000 or more, depending on the size/capacity of the system, but it may not be worth it to continue plugging money into a system if it will fail sooner rather than later. Only the homeowner can decide.

Can having a Home Warranty help?

If you purchase the right Home Service Contract, you may be able to mitigate and sometimes eliminate the cost of upgrading an air conditioning system to R-410A when it needs to be replaced. Not all Home Service Contracts are the same, so be sure to read and understand the coverage. If the Home Service Contract does not clearly state what’s covered, consider shopping around for one that does.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist