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R-22 replacement cost calculator
R-22 production ended in 2020 and the reclaimed price is now ~7x what R-410A costs per pound. This tool models the 5-year total cost of keeping your R-22 equipment vs. replacing with R-410A or R-454B, and tells you when the replacement actually pays for itself.
Built for two audiences
HVAC contractors, use this in customer conversations to show the real 5-year cost of patching old R-22 equipment vs. replacing it. The TCO math is usually the easiest path to closing a fleet replacement.
Building owners / facility managers, see when the math actually tips toward replacement. R-22 production ended in 2020; reclaimed R-22 is now $85+/lb vs. $12/lb for R-410A. The EPA's AIM Act phases down HFCs by 85% by 2036, so R-454B is the next replacement after R-410A.
Your fleet details
Transition cost analysis
These systems likely use R-22 (phased out). Refrigerant costs are 7x higher than modern alternatives.
$85,000
Replacement cost (R-410A)
$16,070
Annual savings
5.3 yrs
Payback period
$23,050
5-year net savings
Cost breakdown: Do nothing vs. Replace
Keep current systems (5yr)
$148,450
Refrigerant + repairs + forced replacement
Replace now (5yr)
$125,400
New equipment + reduced maintenance
Annual savings breakdown
R-22 → R-410A pricing
Assumes ~60% fewer calls on new equipment
~20% SEER improvement × $1,500/unit/yr est. energy cost
Assumptions: R-22 at $85/lb, R-410A at $12/lb (2026 market). 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. Actual costs vary by region, system size, and condition.
R-454B: The next transition
R-454B (Opteon XL41) is the next-gen replacement with 78% lower GWP. Equipment cost is ~12% more than R-410A today. Full fleet upgrade to R-454B: $95,000. Consider this if systems are being replaced anyway, future-proofs against 2030+ regulations.
What this means for you
The R-22 phaseout isn't a future problem, it's a margin emergency right now. Every R-22 service call that takes 2 hours instead of 1 because of refrigerant scarcity is a billable hour you didn't bill, plus a customer who won't renew next year.
Quick win this week
Pull your last 30 service calls on R-22 systems. Calculate average refrigerant cost per visit. If it's tracking up faster than your prices, you're losing money on every visit.
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.