R-22 and R-410A: What Is the Difference?

R-22 (Freon) is an older refrigerant that has been phased out and is costly and scarce, while R-410A (Puron) is the standard in most systems installed since about 2010. If your AC uses R-22, plan for replacement.

Two refrigerants, two generations

R-22, commonly called Freon, was the standard refrigerant in home air conditioners and heat pumps for decades. R-410A, often sold as Puron, replaced it in new equipment starting around 2010 because R-22 harms the ozone layer. You can find the type on the data plate of your outdoor unit.

Most systems in Upstate New York homes built or updated in the 1990s and 2000s use R-22. Many are still running, which is why this question comes up on service calls every summer.

What happened to R-22

Production and import of R-22 for new equipment has been phased out, and what remains is reclaimed or stockpiled supply. As supplies shrink, prices have climbed. Servicing an R-22 system now means paying more for refrigerant, and a leak makes the repair uneconomical.

Because supply is limited, a small leak that would once have been a quick fix can turn into a bill that approaches the cost of a new outdoor unit. Ask for the price per pound before agreeing to any refrigerant work.

The practical lesson: do not let a refrigerant bill surprise you. Ask for a written quote first, which we always provide before repair work.

How to tell which one you have

Check the nameplate on the outdoor condenser for the refrigerant type. Systems installed before about 2010 likely use R-22. If you have a 15 to 25-year-old central AC in an Upstate farmhouse, there is a good chance it does.

Do not mix refrigerants. They need different oils, pressures and components, and R-410A equipment cannot use R-22.

An R-22 system can still run for years if it is sealed and well maintained, so an old label is not an emergency by itself. What matters is whether it leaks.

Do not just "top it off"

Refrigerant is not used up. If the level is low, there is a leak, and recharging without finding it is a short-term fix. With R-22 the cost of the refrigerant itself makes that bad money. Apply the rule of thumb: repair cost times age; at $5,000 or more, replace. See our repair or replace guide.

If the system also has a failing compressor, worn blower or poor efficiency, replacement is usually the wiser spend.

What replaces R-410A next

The industry is moving again to lower-impact refrigerants for new equipment. R-410A systems remain serviceable, but expect the supply picture to change over time. When you replace, ask us which refrigerant your new equipment uses and what service options exist.

Regardless of refrigerant type, only certified technicians may handle it. Releasing refrigerant is illegal, and it is never a do-it-yourself job.

Replacement options

We install RUUD central air conditioners rated 16 to 19 SEER2 (see RUUD central AC) and Mitsubishi heat pumps that cool and heat efficiently. Because a heat pump handles heating too, it can displace oil or propane in winter. Learn more at Mitsubishi air conditioning.

Replacing the outdoor unit alone with a mismatched indoor coil often causes problems, so we look at the whole system.

Get a written quote

Superior CO-OP HVAC repairs all brands and gives a written quote before any repair work. Call (518) 719-5614, or request a free in-home estimate. Our air conditioner repair page covers service calls.

Bring the model and serial number from the outdoor unit nameplate when you call, and we can tell you a lot over the phone. If you are planning ahead, a free in-home estimate lets us explain your options in writing, with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions