My AC Still Uses R-22 Freon: What Are My Options?

You have three options: keep running it as long as it holds its charge, convert it to a substitute refrigerant, or replace it on your own schedule. Nobody can force you to swap out a working R-22 system, so the right call depends on whether yours is leaking and how old it is.

Why R-22 Became a Problem

R-22 (the refrigerant most people call Freon) was standard in home AC systems built before about 2010. The U.S. stopped producing and importing it in 2020 because it damages the ozone layer. What’s left comes from recycled supply pulled out of old equipment, and that supply shrinks every year. So the refrigerant itself isn’t illegal to use, it’s just scarce, and scarce means expensive.

Option 1: Keep It Running

If your system is sealed tight and cooling well, there’s no reason to rip it out. Refrigerant isn’t used up like gas in a car, so a leak-free system can go years without a recharge. Keep up with yearly tune-ups so small problems don’t turn into big ones.

The catch is a leak. If your tech has to add R-22 every summer, you’re paying premium prices to refill something that’s draining out.

Option 2: Retrofit to a Substitute

Some R-22 systems can be converted to a replacement refrigerant designed for older equipment. It costs less than a new system, but it isn’t a simple top-off. The old refrigerant has to be recovered, seals and oil may need attention, and the system often loses a little capacity. That trade-off makes sense for a unit with good years left. It rarely makes sense for one that’s 15 or 20 years old.

Option 3: Replace It Before It Quits

Any R-22 system is at least 15 years old now. After that many Acadiana summers of heat and Gulf Coast humidity, compressors and coils are near the end. Replacing it in the fall or spring lets you compare equipment and financing without sweating through a July breakdown. A new system will also run on a current refrigerant and use noticeably less power than a unit built before efficiency standards went up. Our refrigerant transition guide explains how R-22 compares to what’s sold today.

DIY or Call a Pro?

You can handle the basics: change the filter, keep the outdoor unit clear, and notice whether it’s cooling like it used to. Anything involving refrigerant needs an EPA-certified technician by law.

If your system is losing charge or struggling, start with AC repair so we can find the leak and tell you whether a fix or a retrofit is worth it. If replacement looks like the smarter move, see our AC installation page, including for homes in Lafayette and New Iberia. There’s also a complete-system installation offer on our specials page worth checking before you decide.

Call F & R Air Conditioning at (337) 893-5646 and we’ll give you a straight read on your R-22 system.