Why R22 phaseout matters for you

Manufacturing and food & beverage businesses around the world are facing up to the challenges of phasing out R22 in favor of more environmentally friendly refrigerant chemicals.

R22, more commonly known as Freon, has been widely used in air conditioning systems, process cooling, and industrial refrigeration since the 1950s. But decades later it has been found to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and the increase in global warming.

Is your organization, like many others, now heavily reliant on R22? Have you already begun looking at how to replace it and aren’t sure of the next steps?

We caught up with Daryl Pool, Aggreko’s Technical Services Leader in North America for Temperature Control, Power Generation, and Project Management, to find out about the challenges R22 phaseout presents and how you can best prepare for them.

How long can I carry on using R22?

“There’s not a simple answer to this,” Daryl says.

All production and import of R22 has been banned by the US EPA since January 1, 2020. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t still available. You can purchase reclaimed R22, which has been chemically reprocessed, and continue using this in your facilities indefinitely. However, this is becoming more scarce year on year, meaning it can be more difficult to source, and the price is going up. If you plan to continue with the same equipment it’s important you keep in close contact with your suppliers to ensure you always have access to a sufficient supply of refrigerant.

You also need to think about your customers’ expectations. Daryl highlights how consumers are becoming more concerned about their supplier’s green credentials and may go elsewhere if you can’t demonstrate your commitment to the environment.

Of course, a major refresh of your equipment is a costly project, but the longer you continue to maintain systems that will eventually have to be replaced, the more the cost of doing so will increase.

What is replacing R22?

The most common alternatives to R22 are R-410A and R-134A. These are newer types of HFC refrigerants that have insignificant ozone depletion potential and a much lower global warming potential than other HFC refrigerants. Some current equipment can be adapted to use these new refrigerants, but this can be an expensive process as they operate at different pressures. Depending on your setup it may be cost-prohibitive, or simply not possible, to make the required conversions.

Planning for the short and long term future

For your business to succeed, you need to ensure the refrigerants you rely on are suitable not only for today and tomorrow but well into the future. As R22 supplies dwindle, costs go up, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic pushes up lead times for critical components, it’s better to plan now than to keep putting it off. Preventing capital expenditure by keeping your legacy equipment running may save you money in the short term, but it could become significantly more costly in the long term. Especially if you find yourself having to make an emergency switch to new equipment.

“Aggreko is currently going through our own phaseout of R22 reliant equipment,” Daryl says. “So we understand all the challenges it presents, and how best to overcome them. Where required, we can provide refrigeration and cooling equipment to bridge any gaps in your transition process.”

Final thoughts: don’t be left behind

R22 phaseout is just one step in the journey of ever-improving environmental standards. History has taught us that chemicals that are considered safe today could undoubtedly be found to have harmful effects in the future. Daryl notes that “the HFC replacements are already being phased out in some industries” and it’s only a matter of time before that spreads further.

As science evolves and we understand more about our impact on the environment, new solutions are being considered for cleaner refrigerants. Daryl points to alternatives such as carbon dioxide and ammonia which could be used in the future but warns that it is an ever-changing sector that shows no signs of slowing down its progress.

So if you don’t keep up with developments you may find yourself investing in technology that doesn’t last as long as you would like. But why spend valuable time and effort on researching this yourself, instead of focusing on your core business? You may find it more cost-effective and beneficial to partner with a company that employs experts in the field and will ensure you are always a step ahead of the curve.

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