LeBlanc Heating & Air Conditioning is notifying its customers that due to federal regulations; air conditioning manufacturers will no longer be allowed to use R-22 refrigerant in residential air conditioners and heat pumps produced after December 31, 2009.

Here’s why that may be important to you.

R-22 has been the primary refrigerant used by the air conditioning industry since the 1960’s. Most home air conditioners and heat pumps use R-22—including yours.

If your system develops a slow refrigerant leak, it’s important for you to repair it immediately. If the leak can’t be repaired, it is in your best interest to replace your equipment with an air conditioner or heat pump that uses R-410a, a new refrigerant that will be the industry standard.

You should not panic. R-22 will still be available after the end of the year, thanks in part to the efforts of conscientious contractors (like us) who have been recycling it for over 10 years. The price of R-22 however, is going to get very expensive.

The longer you wait to repair a leak, the more it will cost. If you wait until next year to replace your outdoor unit with an R-410a unit, you will also need to replace your indoor components at the same time to match the new equipment. R-410a is not compatible with R-22.

Chances are you’ll be hearing about this change in the news, or in advertisements from other contractors. We wanted to let you know that you shouldn't feel threatened that R-22 won’t be available for your system, and you’re not “required” to do anything today. Don’t be taken in by scare tactics or over-reaction by the uninformed or ill-intentioned.

Eventually R-22 will be replaced completely by R-410a refrigerant which is a more environmentally benign product. That’s good news and we’re on board with that change 100%. We just want you to know what to expect so you can act now if needed.