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R-22 replacement cost calculator
R-22 production ended in 2020. The default $85 versus $12 inputs imply ~7x the cost per pound, an editable planning comparison rather than verified current prices. This tool models the 5-year total cost of keeping your R-22 equipment vs. replacing with compatible new equipment, using your own price and service assumptions. Refrigerant eligibility depends on the equipment; the modeled payback is conditional.
Built for two audiences
HVAC contractors, use this in customer conversations to show the modeled 5-year cost of patching old R-22 equipment vs. replacing it. Use actual contractor quotes and service records before recommending a fleet replacement.
Building owners / facility managers, see when the math actually tips toward replacement. R-22 production ended in 2020; this model uses reclaimed R-22 at $85/lb planning input vs. an $18/lb replacement-refrigerant planning input. The EPA's AIM Act phases down HFC production and consumption by 85% by 2036. Equipment transition dates and eligible refrigerants depend on the system type.
Your fleet details
Equipment age does not identify its refrigerant. For other refrigerants, use a system-specific comparison with your contractor.
Transition cost analysis
You selected R-22. U.S. production and import ended in 2020; existing systems can still be serviced with recovered, reclaimed or previously produced refrigerant. Compare current local quotes.
$95,000
Installed replacement cost (compliant system planning example)
$19,302
Annual savings
4.9 yrs
Payback period
$57,906
5-year net savings
Cost breakdown: Do nothing vs. Replace
Keep current systems (5yr)
$237,146
Refrigerant + repairs + energy + assumed replacement and later new-system costs
Replace now (5yr)
$179,240
New equipment + refrigerant + maintenance + energy
Annual savings breakdown
Old versus compliant replacement refrigerant planning prices
Assumes 60% fewer annual calls; fractional calls are expected fleet averages
~20% SEER improvement × $1,500/unit/yr est. energy cost
Assumptions: Assumed service life: 15 years; modeled remaining life: 3 years. At or beyond that life, the keep path assumes immediate replacement. Use a replacement system compliant with your sector and installation date. Refrigerant prices and installed costs are editable planning inputs, not verified 2026 market averages. 3 lbs refrigerant per service call. Repair cost: $450/call (old) vs $350/call (new). Energy savings based on ~20% SEER improvement at $1,500/unit/yr estimated energy cost. Both five-year paths include refrigerant, repairs and energy. The keep path assumes replacement at the stated remaining service life, then includes new-system costs for the remaining years. This is undiscounted cash cost, excluding financing, tax, downtime and incentives. Actual costs vary by region, system size, and condition.
R-454B: a current low-GWP option to check
R-454B (Opteon XL41) is a lower-GWP option in compatible new equipment, not a drop-in refrigerant for every RTU, chiller or walk-in system. Its global warming potential is about 78% lower than R-410A; confirm the GWP basis against the manufacturer specification. Equipment cost is ~12% higher in these illustrative equipment-price assumptions. Illustrative R-454B replacement fleet: $95,000. This is a planning example, not a refrigerant recommendation for every system. Check the applicable EPA sector deadline, safety classification and manufacturer approval before choosing a system.
Check current rules: EPA ozone-depleting substances phaseout and EPA technology transitions by sector.
What this means for you
The R-22 phaseout already affects refrigerant availability and cost. Check whether it reduces your service margin. Check whether parts availability changes service time and customer cost. Extra time is not automatically billable, and renewal effects must be measured in your own records.
Quick win this week
Pull your last 30 service calls on R-22 systems. Calculate average refrigerant cost per visit. Compare the full visit cost with collected pricing before identifying a margin loss.
Strategic fix
Build a 24-month system replacement pipeline by customer. Lead with TCO conversations on every R-22 service call. Front-load 2027-2030 retrofits in your sales plan.
Plan your refrigerant transition
We model the financial impact of your equipment timeline and maintenance spend.
No commitment. Real numbers, not generic advice.