The overall installed cost is a good question! The answer is, it depends!

Every year after 2006 the price has consistently gone up and down. Mostly up!  Without reason at times, but it fluctuates, down for  while, but back up shortly thereafter. The most used reasons are, EPA, demand, production cost, reclamation cost, seasonal demand, etc.  But what is for sure the cost will continue you to go up every year until no one wants or needs it anymore.

Production of R22 totally stops in 2019/2020 and only reclaimed/recycled R22 refrigerant will be available in the future.

So, what is a good, reasonable price? It depends!

Right now I’ve heard $80 a lb. to $175 a lb. We try to stay on the low side of the price range to be fair and we do that by buying the R22 refrigerant in the off season.  $80 a lb. is what A.I.R. charges for R22 installed plus labor, at this time. That will probably go up in the near future as the wholesale price goes up, sorry!

What are your options? Alternative refrigerants like R422, R421A,  M099, NU22, etc. They usually cost half the price installed. But, they drop the capacity of the equipment and lower the overall cooling performance, especially above 90*F and in heat pumps. But, it is an option.

The other option is to change out, buy new cooling equipment. Which can be expensive, but maybe necessary. Why? Because the cost of charging and or repairing the old system may not be cost effective long term. Especially if the leak in the system is not found and repaired.  Thousands of dollars, versus hundreds of dollars sounds better, but long term what will the overall cost be?

It depends! On you, your budget, your long term goals for your home or business, or the going rate for R22 refrigerant installed.

The choice is yours! Just make sure you discuss all your options before you spend a lot of money charging an old system. And please consider repairing the leak before you have it charged.

If you need help with your cooling system, R22 refrigerant prices or with any of your heating and cooling equipment, please call 405-618-2247 or 405-421-5191 and let A.I.R. Plus help you out. We provide free phone quotes on repairs and free on-site quotes or estimates for new equipment.