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Sarasota AC guide

The R-22 Phaseout and Older AC Systems

Plenty of Sarasota-area homes still have AC systems installed before about 2010, and many of them run on R-22. That refrigerant is no longer made in the U.S. Here is what that means if your system is one of them.

Reviewed October 13, 2026 · General information only; not engineering or legal advice

What happened to R-22

R-22, also sold under the name Freon, was the standard refrigerant in home air conditioners for decades. Because it harms the ozone layer, the U.S. phased it out under the Clean Air Act. New AC systems stopped being made with R-22 in 2010, and production and import of R-22 ended on January 1, 2020 (U.S. EPA, phaseout of HCFCs including R-22). Since then, servicing an R-22 system depends on refrigerant that has been recovered from old systems and reclaimed.

Does my system use R-22?

Look at the nameplate label on the outdoor unit. It lists the refrigerant type and the factory charge. If it says R-22 or HCFC-22, the system uses it. Systems installed before 2010 are the most likely candidates. If you are not sure, include a photo of the label when you send the form.

Can I keep using my R-22 system?

Yes. The EPA is clear that you are not required to replace a working R-22 system (U.S. EPA, phaseout of HCFCs including R-22). It can keep running and be repaired. The issue is leaks: if a system loses refrigerant, recharging it with R-22 relies on a shrinking supply.

Repair options

  • Fix the leak and recharge with reclaimed R-22. Practical for small leaks on systems in otherwise good condition.
  • Retrofit to a substitute refrigerant. Some refrigerants are designed for use in older R-22 equipment. A retrofit may involve changing oil or parts and can affect performance; ask what the manufacturer allows.
  • Replace the system. Often the choice when there is a large leak, a failed compressor or an aging indoor coil.

Mixing refrigerants or "topping off" with something not intended for the system can damage it. Anyone handling refrigerant must hold EPA Section 608 certification and follow recovery rules (U.S. EPA, Section 608 refrigerant management).

Thinking about replacement

An R-22 system in Sarasota is likely well into its second decade of long cooling seasons. Newer systems are more efficient and handle humidity better, especially variable-speed models. Because the indoor coil and outdoor unit must match the refrigerant, replacing only half of an R-22 system rarely works. See AC replacement and what shapes a replacement.

Beware of pressure

Being told you must replace a working R-22 system "because it is illegal" is incorrect. The decision should rest on the condition of the system and the cost of keeping it running. A second written estimate helps, and the Florida DBPR license search shows whether a contractor's certification is active (Florida DBPR license search).

Newer refrigerant changes

The industry is in another transition, toward refrigerants with lower global warming potential. Ask which refrigerant a new system uses and how widely it is supported.

Related pages: ac replacement & new systems, ac repair, heat pump repair & replacement, and what shapes an estimate.

Sources: U.S. EPA, phaseout of HCFCs including R-22; U.S. EPA, Section 608 refrigerant management; Florida DBPR license search.

Asked and answered

Short answers

  1. Is R-22 illegal?

    Using and repairing an existing R-22 system is allowed. New production and import ended on January 1, 2020.

  2. How do I know if my AC uses R-22?

    Check the nameplate on the outdoor unit. It lists the refrigerant type.

  3. Do I have to replace my R-22 system?

    No. You can keep using and repairing it. The decision usually comes when there is a major leak or part failure.

  4. Can I put a new refrigerant in my old system?

    Only refrigerants designed for retrofit, following the manufacturer's guidance. Mixing refrigerants can damage the system.

  5. Why is servicing R-22 harder now?

    It relies on recovered and reclaimed supplies, which are limited.

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