Summer is almost here and we want to notify you about a change in our industry that will make repairing your air conditioner much more expensive this year than ever before.

R-22 is a type of refrigerant (Freon) that has been commonly used in air conditioners and heat pumps for years. Unfortunately, it contains hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that deplete the ozone layer. The EPA has deemed that production and consumption of R-22 must be gradually diminished and ceased by the year 2020.

Due to this phase-out of the type of refrigerant in your air conditioner, the price to add R-22 has increased dramatically! In October 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its plan to phase out R-22. In 2015, R-22 has been drastically cut to a 10% supply with a complete phase-out by 2020.

Prices are rising quickly due to supply and demand. The closer we get to 2020, the higher the prices will go. With limited production, supply goes down, yet there are homeowners that still need the old refrigerant.

If your cooling unit is 10 years old or older, this is an excellent time to compare your air conditioner to a new high-efficiency air conditioner or heat pump. The new models can reduce your utility expense by 30-50%, and they are engineered to work with R-410A refrigerant, the more environmentally-friendly refrigerant choice.

The volatile cost of R-22 is going to be extremely high as supply drops, and the cost will jump fast. Do not put your family budget at risk.

Your time to replace is today!