In 2014, the EPA made it’s biggest splash on Oct. 16, when Gina McCarthy, administrator, EPA, signed the final rule pertaining to allowances for virgin production and importation of HCFCs, primarily R-22, for 2015 through 2019.

What has changed over the past 25 years or so is the recovery equipment, and the latest generation of such equipment is a considerable improvement over that of the first generation.

Europe is now only a year away from a total ban on R-22 and other hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). And the European HVAC industry has to act fast to get the message across to customers.

With all the talk about the phaseout of R-22 — with its huge range of air conditioning and refrigeration applications — one thing that seems to be often overlooked is that the refrigerant is not going away any time soon.