Definition
R-22, also called HCFC-22 and widely known by the brand name Freon, is an ozone-depleting refrigerant used in most U.S. home air conditioners and heat pumps installed before 2010. Under the Clean Air Act phaseout, U.S. production and import of R-22 ended in 2020. Existing systems may keep running on recovered, reclaimed or stockpiled supply.
Also called: HCFC-22, Freon
Why it matters to you
Older heat pumps and air conditioners in Clark County and Portland-area homes may still run on R-22. They can keep operating, but a major leak repair depends on limited recovered supply, which makes a large refrigerant repair hard to justify on an aging system.
Practical guidance
Check the outdoor unit's data plate for R-22 or HCFC-22. Newer refrigerants cannot simply be added to an R-22 system, so treat a major refrigerant repair as a prompt to compare repair against replacement with a certified technician.
About this definition
Written by the Home Energy Group team — a family-owned HVAC company celebrating 25 years of comfort & care across SW Washington and the Portland metro, licensed in Washington (WA LIC# HOMEEGI003J7) and Oregon (OR CCB# 184255). Definitions inform; an on-site diagnosis decides.
