Transitioning from R-22
Because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared R-22 refrigerant an ozone-depleting substance, it will be 99.5% phased out in use in commercial and residential HVAC products by 2020. As you work to transition from R-22 in your properties’ HVAC units, know that you can leave your aging systems in place, convert them to an alternative refrigerant, or replace them with new equipment. Leaving an aging system in place will require more maintenance, and converting to an alternative refrigerant will result in reduced efficiency that can negatively impact unit performance and the quality of your residents’ comfort. Alternative refrigerants will also increase your residents’ energy consumption, which can have an impact on their utility costs, and some refrigerants can create serious problems in older equipment, including compressor oil loss, increased flammability and system instability. By replacing systems with new equipment, you will have reduced HVAC maintenance and improved efficiency. Furthermore, a new system means a positive increase in the resident experience, and can even decrease resident turnover.
