Freon ®

Freon ® is a registered trade mark of Dupont.  It is the most common refrigerant used in home air conditioning.  Around 2010 the government had decided the r-22 (Freon ®) was harming the ozone layer.  As a result they passed a law that US makers of ac units could not longer use r-22 in their equipment, additionally the substance could no longer me made inside the US.  This created a shortage in supply therefore an increase in the cost of  Freon® r-22.  Although R-22 can still be made and used in many other countries around the world it can not be import. Due to these issues the cost has not only increased by over 200% but also fluctuates based on supply.

Do locals companies still carry Freon ®?

Everyone in the US still has access to r-22 however many refuse to carry it.  Some of the reasons sighted are cost, environment, theft and age of equipment using this type of Freon ®.  Of the total number of ac units still in working order a far greater percentage of equipment still uses r-22.  The 2 most commonly used refrigerants still in use are r-22 and then r-410a.  As of July of 2025 we have run out of equipment using r-410a, again due to government regulations.  In our opinion EVERY company should be carrying and using r-22 in those units that the factory had designed it for. We do not believe that “alternative” refrigerants should ever be used. Freon ® is available and should always be used in those systems designed for it. Value Heating always carries a good supply of both r-22 and r410a refrigerants for your system.

Average cost of Freon ® today

Since the banning of r-22 refrigerant in 2010 the cost of it has sored.  Going from about $30 a pound to well over $200.  This is in part for several reasons.  When the law took effect manufactures such as Dupont were no longer allowed to make new Freon ®, furthermore the government placed a large tax on the refrigerant increasing cost even more.  Today most company that still sell r-22 sell it by the pound at around $200 to $250 a pound.  Some companies have started selling it by the ounce, although we do recommend this as it usually increases the cost.  To understand how much Freon ® your systems takes simply check the data plate on your machine and it will be written there. Lastly we never recommend that you use any other refrigerant in your system than what the manufacturer intended.