R22 RefrigerantChlorodifluoromethane · Legacy air conditioning & refrigeration · ODS phaseout
R22 (HCFC-22) is a pure A1 refrigerant that dominated residential air conditioning, heat pumps and many commercial refrigeration systems for decades. It has good thermodynamic performance but depletes stratospheric ozone and also has high GWP. In the United States, production and import of new HCFC-22 for servicing ended in 2020, yet EPA still allows existing R22 equipment to be serviced with recovered, reclaimed or previously produced refrigerant.
What is R22 refrigerant?
R22 is chlorodifluoromethane, an HCFC refrigerant with ODP 0.055 and 100-year GWP 1,810. It is a legacy refrigerant, not a current new-equipment choice. The most important distinction in 2026 is that 'production/import phased out' does not mean 'every existing R22 unit is illegal.' Existing systems can still be maintained under applicable rules, using allowed refrigerant supplies and proper recovery practices.
R22 refrigerant properties
Use these values for research and screening. For equipment design, charging and compliance, use the exact supplier PT data, SDS, OEM documentation and regulation that governs the project.
| Property | Reference | Engineering / source note |
|---|---|---|
| Designation | R22 / HCFC-22 | ASHRAE designation |
| Chemical name | Chlorodifluoromethane | Pure HCFC |
| Formula | CHClF₂ | Single component |
| Molecular weight | ≈86.47 g/mol | Honeywell technical data |
| Normal boiling point | ≈ −40.8 to −41.5°C | Supplier data vary slightly |
| Critical temperature | ≈96.1°C | Honeywell |
| Critical pressure | ≈49.9 bar | Honeywell |
| ODP | 0.055 | EPA / Honeywell |
| 100-year GWP | 1,810 | EPA SNAP / IPCC 2007 reference |
| Safety classification | A1 | Lower toxicity / no flame propagation |
EPA Technology Transitions uses the values shown on this page. Older product literature may use IPCC AR4/AR5 or another assessment, so a different number is not automatically an error.
Where is R22 used?
Applications must be evaluated by system type, charge, compressor, heat exchanger, safety class and current regulation. The examples below describe recognized use contexts, not automatic approval for every installation.
Legacy residential air conditioning
Pre-2010 U.S. split systems and heat pumps remain a major installed-base use.
Legacy commercial AC
Rooftop units, packaged systems and other older commercial equipment.
Commercial refrigeration
Older supermarket, walk-in, food-service and process systems used R22 extensively.
Industrial process refrigeration
EPA SNAP still lists HCFC-22 in legacy/replacement context, while ODS production controls govern supply.
Heat pumps
Older heat-pump equipment was commonly designed specifically around R22.
Not a new-system refrigerant
Modern equipment should be selected from currently permitted alternatives rather than designing a new platform around HCFC-22.
Continue through the Refrigerant Replacements and Low-GWP Refrigerants hubs for broader selection context.
What the U.S. R22 phaseout actually means in 2026
EPA states that U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 for general servicing ceased in 2020. After that date, service supply comes from recovered, recycled/reclaimed or previously produced material as permitted by law.
EPA also explicitly states that existing equipment can continue to be serviced and that servicing can include replacing failed components.
Therefore, 'R22 was phased out in 2020' is correct for new production/import, while 'R22 can no longer be used in any existing system' is incorrect.
Repair, retrofit or replace: how to think about an R22 system
A minor leak or failed component does not automatically require full system replacement under EPA’s R22 phaseout rules. The owner can consider repair using legal R22 supply, an approved retrofit, or equipment replacement.
The best choice depends on equipment age, leak history, compressor condition, efficiency, available reclaimed R22, retrofit compatibility and the cost of replacing the complete system.
Retrofit refrigerants such as R407C can be appropriate in some stationary systems, but lubricant, expansion device, charge and capacity must be evaluated. R410A is not an EPA-listed retrofit for R22 systems; replacing with R410A generally means replacing the system.
R22 vs “R22a”: these are not the same refrigerant
EPA warns that products marketed as 'R22a' are hydrocarbon blends that may contain propane and butane. They are highly flammable and are not R22.
Putting an unapproved hydrocarbon blend into equipment designed for A1 R22 can create fire/explosion risk and can endanger service technicians who expect a nonflammable refrigerant.
Always identify the refrigerant by approved designation and manufacturer documentation. Similar marketing names are not evidence of compatibility.
Recovery and reclamation are part of the R22 end-of-life strategy
As virgin HCFC-22 production/import disappeared, recovered and reclaimed refrigerant became important for keeping remaining equipment in service.
Technicians should recover R22 rather than vent it. Reclamation can return used refrigerant to defined purity for resale, while recycling is a different process and has different restrictions.
End-of-life equipment should be managed so remaining R22 is recovered before dismantling or disposal.
R22 vs R407C
The table highlights engineering differences rather than implying direct interchangeability.
| Characteristic | R22 | R407C |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pure HCFC | Zeotropic HFC blend |
| ODP | 0.055 | 0 |
| GWP | 1,810 | 1,774 |
| Safety class | A1 | A1 |
| Glide | None | Meaningful |
| Legacy lubricant | Mineral oil common | POE common |
| Role in 2026 | Existing-system service / phaseout | Legacy retrofit/transition; also under GWP pressure |
R22 safety: A1 does not remove pressure, oxygen-displacement or decomposition hazards
R22 is A1, but pressurized liquid can cause frostbite, vapor can displace oxygen and flames/hot surfaces can decompose chlorinated fluorocarbon refrigerant into hazardous products. The larger environmental issue is that R22 is ozone-depleting, so recovery and leak prevention are central service requirements.
Recovery required
Do not vent refrigerant during service or disposal.
Cold / pressure hazards
Wear appropriate PPE and use tools rated for the system.
Hot work
Recover refrigerant before brazing or flame exposure.
Actual risk depends on charge, release rate, pressure, room volume, ventilation, ignition sources, equipment construction, alarm logic and service condition.
See the Refrigerant Safety Guide for classification context.
R22 refrigerant leak detection
Validate detector response to the finished blend
Electronic halogen/refrigerant leak detectors, ultrasonic tools and soap/bubble methods can be used depending on leak type. Fixed area monitoring may be appropriate for large systems. Because legacy equipment can be contaminated by retrofit blends or unapproved hydrocarbons, refrigerant identification can be especially valuable before recovery or hot work.
Portable service leak detectors, fixed area monitors, A2L mitigation sensors and refrigerant identifiers perform different functions. Define the alarm action and concentration range before selecting the technology.
Regulatory position of R22 in 2026
United States
EPA says existing HCFC-22 equipment can still be serviced. New production and import of HCFC-22 for general servicing ceased in 2020; after 2020, recovered/reclaimed or previously produced material provides service supply. EPA does not require owners to replace every existing R22 system solely because of the phaseout.
European Union
R22 is an ozone-depleting HCFC. EU Regulation 2024/590 prohibits production, placing on the market and use of Annex I ozone-depleting substances except specific exemptions, and requires recovery of ODS from refrigeration/AC equipment during service or dismantling. The EU phaseout therefore goes beyond the U.S. legacy-service model.
Is R22 being phased out?
R22 is genuinely a phased-out refrigerant, but the legal consequences vary by jurisdiction. In the U.S., the remaining role is existing-equipment service using permitted supply. In the EU, current ODS rules are substantially more restrictive.
U.S. refrigeration limits differ by cold storage, supermarket, remote condensing, stand-alone product, industrial process and chiller category. A refrigerant may fit one pathway and fail another.
Use the Refrigerant Regulations Hub for regional research.
What should be compared with R22?
Compare the real equipment pathway: retrofit vs new system, A1 vs A2L capability, GWP threshold, glide, compressor envelope, energy efficiency and service ecosystem.
Practical misconceptions about R22
“R22 became illegal to have in a U.S. air conditioner after 2020.”
EPA allows existing R22 equipment to continue operating and be serviced.
“R22a is an eco-friendly version of R22.”
R22a is a flammable hydrocarbon product, not HCFC-22.
“R410A can be charged into an R22 system as a retrofit.”
EPA does not list R410A as an R22 retrofit; system replacement is generally required.
“A1 means R22 can be vented safely.”
Venting violates refrigerant-management rules and releases an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas.
R22 refrigerant FAQ
Concise answers to common composition, retrofit, glide, safety and regulation questions.
What is R22?
What is the GWP of R22?
What is the ODP of R22?
Was R22 banned in the U.S. in 2020?
Can an existing R22 air conditioner still run?
Can I still buy R22 for service?
Can R407C replace R22?
Can R410A replace R22 directly?
Is R22a the same as R22?
How should R22 leaks be handled?
R22 sources and further reading
This profile uses current EPA regulatory references plus refrigerant supplier, NIST, scientific and GasNose resources. Re-check the latest edition before design or compliance decisions.
Working with R22 or planning a refrigerant transition?
Compare GWP, safety class, temperature glide, equipment compatibility and regulatory lifetime before selecting a refrigerant.
Technical Notice: This page is for refrigerant research and general technical reference. Refrigerant suitability, permitted charge, equipment approval, leak mitigation, servicing procedures and regulatory compliance depend on the exact equipment, installation and jurisdiction. Always verify current manufacturer documentation, SDS, applicable standards and local regulations before selecting, replacing, charging or servicing a refrigerant.