As of 2024, the cost of R22 refrigerant is $250 per pound. This price reflects its increasing scarcity due to its ongoing phase-out as a regulated substance.
Understanding R22 Refrigerant Costs
R22, commonly known as Freon, was historically a widely used refrigerant in many residential and commercial air conditioning systems. However, due to its ozone-depleting properties, its production and import have been systematically phased out under environmental regulations. This diminishing supply, coupled with a continued need for servicing older HVAC systems that still operate with R22, has led to a significant rise in its market price.
R22 Price Trends Over Recent Years
To illustrate the escalating cost of this refrigerant, here's a look at the per-pound prices for R22 over the past few years:
| Year | R22 Cost Per Pound |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $250 |
| 2023 | $195 |
| 2022 | $145 |
| 2021 | $80 |
The substantial increase from $80 per pound in 2021 to $250 per pound in 2024 highlights the significant financial impact on homeowners and businesses with older HVAC units that rely on R22. When an R22 system develops a leak or requires a refrigerant recharge, the cost of the R22 itself can represent a major expense. For many, this rapidly rising cost, combined with the typical age of such systems, makes upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient unit that uses modern, more readily available refrigerants like R410A a more economical long-term solution than continuing to repair an R22-dependent system.
