A large installed base equipment still uses R-22, so once virgin supplies are exhausted, reclaimed refrigerant will be the only source available.

If customers are seeking a more environmentally friendly alternative to HCFCs, there are many options available.

According to a poll, the majority of contractors are having no difficulty obtaining either virgin or reclaimed R-22.

While some may be concerned over whether recovery and reclamation efforts will be sufficient to meet the industry’s needs going forward, reclaimers are adamant that R-22 is still widely available, affordable, and legal.

HFO blends are not drop-in refrigerants, and modifications usually have to be made to the equipment before they are used. However, following the guidelines from experts in the industry can help ensure a smooth transition.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 9 million pounds of R-22 were reported as being reclaimed in 2016.

Daikin America Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd, has completed the first United States retrofit installation of its new low global-warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, Creard R-407H, in the refrigeration system of a cold storage warehouse. Creard R-407H was used to replace the system’s existing R-22, and this successful conversion demonstrates that this new refrigerant from Daikin is an ideal option for similar conversions from R-22.

This troubleshooting problem involves a 5-ton, R-22 rooftop air conditioning unit, and the customer’s complaint is that on days when the ambient temperature exceeds 90°F, the system doesn’t keep the store, which was recently remodeled, comfortable even though it seems to be running continuously.

For many years, R-22 was the refrigerant of choice for commercial and residential air conditioning and heat pump systems. Supermarket refrigeration systems, industrial centrifugal chillers, and industrial cooling applications also used R-22.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10,804,918 pounds of ozone-depleting refrigerant was reported as reclaimed by EPA-certified reclaimers in 2016. That total includes 9,409,494 pounds of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-22 or R-22.