My 19-year-old air conditioning system has stopped cooling. The technician says both the 3-ton compressor and air handler are functioning properly, but the system is low on pressure and uses R-22 refrigerant. Unfortunately, the company I contacted doesn't have any R-22 left and isn't offering me any alternatives besides replacing the entire system. I paid $135 for the diagnostic visit, and I'm feeling frustrated. What should I do now? Should I keep searching for someone who will refill R-22? I'm considering doing it myself since I'm fairly handy, but I need some guidance on that. Also, what's the deal with those 10lb R-22 cylinders online costing $300? One company offered 5lbs installed for $1300, which seems outrageous.
2 Answers
You should know that you need a license to buy R-22, even if it's available online. So, tackling this yourself might not be legal. Plus, R-22 has been phased out for quite a while now, meaning most companies don't have it anymore. You're likely dealing with old stock, which is why it's costing so much everywhere.
Definitely keep calling around and check out smaller businesses, sometimes called One Truck Chucks. They might have access to vendors that larger companies don't. You can also ask around to see if someone might be able to retrofit your system to use R-410A or MO99 instead.
Yeah, I had a similar situation and paid $117 per pound for installation earlier this year. It's definitely not cheap!