Air Conditioning
What Is R-410A vs. R-22 Refrigerant?
Definition
R-22 (Freon) was the standard AC refrigerant for decades until U.S. production was phased out under the Montreal Protocol; R-410A replaced it as the standard for new equipment. The two aren't interchangeable — a system designed for one is not simply refilled with the other.
Why it matters for your home
R-22 is now expensive and increasingly hard to source, so a leak repair on an older R-22 system can cost more in refrigerant alone than a comparable repair would on newer equipment — one reason an aging R-22 AC is rarely worth a major repair.
What to do about it
If your outdoor unit is more than 12-15 years old, ask which refrigerant it uses before authorizing a refrigerant-related repair — the answer changes the repair-vs-replace math immediately.
Money term — the details
Can I just switch my old R-22 system to R-410A?
Why is R-22 refrigerant so expensive now?
R-22 vs. R-410A
| Factor | R-22 (phased out) | R-410A (current standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Reclaimed/recycled only | Widely available |
| Typical cost | High and rising | Standard |
| Found in | Systems roughly 15+ years old | Systems installed since the mid-2010s |
Related terms
This definition is pending licensed-trade technical review. It's sourced from our own published service and guide content, not invented — but hasn't yet been signed off by a licensed HVAC reviewer.
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