R22 Air Conditioning: Why Older Systems Need Replacing
R22 refrigerant has been banned from production and import across the EU and UK since 2015, and it can no longer be legally used to top up an existing system, even one that’s otherwise working fine. If your air conditioning system was installed before around 2010 and develops a refrigerant leak, replacement is generally the only practical option.
Why R22 was banned
R22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) with significant ozone-depleting properties, phased out under international agreements aimed at protecting the ozone layer, with the EU and UK enforcing a full ban on virgin R22 production and import.
How to check if your system is affected
Systems installed roughly before 2010 are the ones most likely to use R22 — the refrigerant type is usually stated on the outdoor unit’s nameplate, and any competent engineer can confirm this quickly during a service visit.
What happens when an R22 system leaks
Because virgin R22 can no longer be legally purchased, a leaking system generally can’t be topped up and continue running — recycled/reclaimed R22 exists in limited, expensive supply, but for most domestic and small commercial systems, replacement is more practical and often comparably priced once you factor in the scarcity premium on reclaimed gas.
What to replace it with
Modern systems commonly use R32, which has substantially lower global warming potential than the R410A that succeeded R22, and is generally cheaper to run. A full system replacement is usually more straightforward — and often no more expensive — than attempting to retrofit an old system to a different refrigerant.
The case for planning ahead
Replacing an ageing R22 system proactively, before it fails, generally means a wider choice of installation dates, better system sizing for your actual needs, and avoiding the higher pricing that often comes with an emergency mid-summer breakdown.
R22 Replacement Upgrades · Air Conditioning Repair Breakdown · Split Air Conditioning