Phasing Out HCFC Refrigerants - To Protect The Ozone Layer - Key Information for Servicing or Replacing Air Conditioners

Oct 4, 2026

The ozone layer blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation, but certain synthetic chemicals—including CFCs and HCFCs—deplete it and create ozone holes. Through the Montreal Protocol, the United States moves from phasing out CFCs and halons toward a step-wise reduction of HCFCs, focusing next on phasing out HCFC-22 (R-22) and HCFC-142b. A date-based schedule outlines bans and continuing servicing limits, then details what homeowners should consider, including servicing practices, contractor requirements, leak repair, recovery equipment, and options when buying efficient replacement units using ozone-friendly refrigerants.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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HCFCs and the Ozone Layer

Phaseout of R-22 and HCFC-142b (R-142b)

What you need to know when servicing or replacing an air conditioner

What are HCFCs and R-22?

Availability and Cost of R-22

Servicing Systems with R-22

Buying a New Air Conditioner

Alternative Refrigerants

HCFCs and the Ozone Layer The stratospheric ozone layer shields the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Emissions of certain synthetic chemicals—including CFCs, halons, and HCFCs—destroy the ozone layer, and have created an “ozone hole” over the South Pole. Through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the United States committed to a collaborative, international effort to regulate and phase out ozone-depleting substances. While the US phased out of CFCs and halons in the mid 90’s, we now must reduce HCFC consumption in a step-wise fashion. Phaseout of R-22 and R142b HCFC-22 (also called R-22) and HCFC-142b are the next two HCFCs that the United States will phase out. The schedule to phase out HCFCs is: January 1, 2010 Ban on production, import and use of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b, except for continuing servicing needs of existing equipment January 1, 2015 Ban on production, import, and use of all HCFCs, except for continuing servicing needs of refrigeration equipment January 1, 2020 Ban on remaining production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. After 2020, the servicing of systems with R-22 will rely on recycled or stockpiled quantities January 1, 2030 Ban on remaining production and import of all HCFCs EPA Ozone Web Site [http://www.epa.gov/ozone/](http://www.epa.gov/ozone/)[ ](http://www.epa.gov/ozone/)EPA Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline 1.800.296.1996 ENERGY STAR Web Site [http://www.energystar.gov/](http://www.energystar.gov/) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mail Code 6205J 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20460-0001 EPA-430-F-09-080 Disclaimer: EPA promotes energy efficiency and the safe use of ozone-friendly substances, and does not endorse any particular company or its products. Phasing Out HCFC Refrigerants To Protect The Ozone Layer What you need to know when servicing or replacing an air conditionerin your home | | | --- | | | | | What are HCFCs and R-22? Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, or HCFCs, are chemicals that are mainly used as refrigerants. Unfortunately, releases of HCFCs deplete the Earth’s protective ozone layer and contribute to climate change. R-22 is an HCFC refrigerant that is often used in air-conditioning equipment. To protect the Earth’s protective ozone layer, the United States is phasing out R-22, along with other chemicals. As the United States phases out refrigerant R-22, you will need to make informed choices when servicing, repairing, or replacing an existing air-conditioning unit or when purchasing a new unit. EPA has banned the manufacture of new equipment that contains R-22 . As a homeowner, you need to consider and balance several key factors in your decision to purchase a new unit, such as energy efficiency, performance, reliability, cost, and the refrigerant used. The lengthy phaseout period allows you to replace your air-conditioning equipment that contains R-22 when you normally would, for instance if it becomes old, inefficient, or ineffective. Realizing that supplies of R-22 will become more limited and that the price may increase should also be factors. In the meantime, R-22 remains available for servicing equipment made before 2010. | Availability and Cost of R-22 | | | | --- | --- | --- | | R-22 is a refrigerant that is often used in airconditioning equipment.
Because R-22 depletes the ozone layer, production and import was further limited in 2010.
In 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced or imported After 2020, only recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies of R-22 will be available. | | . | | The production (not use) of R-22 is being phased out You are not required to stop using R-22 air | | | . conditioners nor to replace existing equipment. The phaseout period provides time to switch toozone-friendly refrigerants when you normally would replace your air conditioner. In the future, R-22 supplies will be more limited and costs to service equipmen

FAQs

What are HCFCs and how do they affect the ozone layer?

HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are mainly used as refrigerants. Releases of HCFCs deplete the Earth’s protective ozone layer and contribute to climate change.

What is the phaseout schedule for HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b in the United States?

The text lists bans starting January 1, 2010 (production/import/use restrictions except for servicing), January 1, 2015 (ban on all HCFCs except servicing), January 1, 2020 (no remaining production/import for R-22 and R-142b, relying on recycled/stockpiled quantities), and January 1, 2030 (ban on remaining production/import of all HCFCs).

What should homeowners do when servicing equipment that uses R-22?

Homeowners may continue to have R-22 equipment serviced, but should maintain the unit properly and choose reliable contractors with EPA Section 608 certification. The text advises technicians to locate and repair leaks instead of “topping off,” and to use refrigerant recovery equipment; intentionally releasing refrigerant is illegal.

Oct 4, 2026

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