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The Clean Air Act mandates that all HVAC equipment manufactures cease producing equipment using R-22 refrigerant on January 1, 2010.


What is the Clean Air Act?

The Montreal Protocol, an international environmental agreement, requires the production phase out of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The Montreal Protocol is carried out in the United States through the Clean Air Act, which is a federal law implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to execute and enforce regulations that reduce air pollutant emissions.


How does the Clean Air Act impact heating and cooling systems?


410A CannisterSince the Clean Air Act ultimately requires the end of R-22 refrigerant production, what will the HVAC industry use?

R-410A is an ozone-friendly refrigerant designed to replace R-22. R-410A refrigerant does not contribute to ozone depletion.


What is the timeframe for the R-410A switchover?

The Clean Air Act mandates that all HVAC equipment manufacturers cease producing equipment with R-22 refrigerant on January 1, 2010, and chemical manufacturers cease producing R-22 refrigerant on January 22, 2020. Along with prohibiting the production of chemicals deemed harmful to the ozone, such as R-22 refrigerant, the Clean Air Act also mandates that no refrigerant be released into the atmosphere during installation, service or retirement of equipment.


How long will current R-22 AC and heat pump products be available?

Some HVAC Distributors, Contractors and Homebuilders will continue to sell and install R-22 AC and heat pump products manufactured prior to January 1, 2010, as long as supplies last.


Do R-410A products cost more?

Currently, R-410A products are slightly more expensive than similar R-22 products. One reason is that R-410A refrigerant is more expensive to produce, but that expense is expected to decline as R-410A is produced in higher volumes and R-22 is phased out and is increasingly less available.


How does the R-22 phase-out affect Homeowners with existing R-22 systems?

There is no need for homeowners to panic if they currently have a heating and cooling system equipped with R-22 refrigerant. Chemical manufacturers can still produce R-22 to service existing systems until Jan 1, 2020. After this date, many in the industry have estimated that there will be adequate R-22 supplies available for servicing equipment for the next 20 years. However, as this supply declines, servicing R-22 systems will become increasingly expensive.


What if I need to replace a portion of my heating and cooling system?

If a homeowner has an existing outdoor unit that is in need of replacement, it is recommended that the indoor unit be replaced (coil, furnace or air handler) at the same time. The reason for this is so that the system will be properly matched based on the manufacturers approved match-up data. A system that is not properly matched will lose efficiency and be more expensive to operate and maintain. This is especially true for homeowners who have outdoor units that are below the current 13-SEER minimum efficiency standard that went into effect Jan 22, 2006. When purchasing a 13-SEER or higher outdoor unit, it should not be matched with an existing indoor unit that is not rated by the manufacturer to achieve a 13-SEER or higher system efficiency rating.


If my current system is R-22, can I replace a portion of it with R-410A?

If you purchase an outdoor R-410A unit, you must replace the indoor coil with a properly matched R-410A model. R-22 and R-410A refrigerants cannot be mixed.


Should I purchase an R-410A system if I need a solution NOW?

While you can continue to legally purchase R-22 systems until supplies run out sometime after 2010, if you need a solution today, it may make more sense in the long run to buy an R-410A system. Your Ruud Contractor can assist you with reviewing and understanding your best option.