Refrigerant Being SMUGGLED! EPA Cracks Down!

[@Casadeloslibros]

I think the issue here is importing without the proper documentation/allowances. Not so much importing from China or Mexico. Let's face it, the big pros are having everything made in China and bringing it to the US. It just has to be done with transparency and professionalism.

[@94XJ]

The AIM act in full effect - 85% reduction in HFCs in 15 years. Signed into law in 2020, thats 2035 when they'll be more or less outmoded entirely. The upshot is that the more standardized the new refrigerants become, pricing *should* normalize.

[@rcinfla9017]

Best you can do is check jug temperature and pressure then look it up in table to see if it matches PT for type of refrigerant it is supposed to be. Make sure jug with refrigerant has well stabilized its internal temp to surrounding air temperature and place thermocouple on the liquid area of tank surface. Keep in mind your pressure readings are likely about +/- 1% and temp reading about +/- 2 degs F in accuracy depending on accuracy of gauges and thermometer used.

[@bigraysballcards]

Great info, thanks.

[@cyberlight22]

First of all a lot of people still have r22 units and the price of that refrigerant is going up forcing people to pay more to upgrade their HVAC equipment. I wish that we could keep that refrigerant around a little while longer just until all of the old refrigerator units are out of the way.

[@edbrandt8972]

I am in the same boat. I will probably replace the entire split system once there is a problem that would require a recharge of R22. It is what it is. 23 plus years is not bad for a central AC split system.

[@michaelcinaz]

All these refrigerant changes make it difficult for everybody - consumers, HVAC technicians, and manufacturers. My Lennox system needs a new evaporator coil every 6 years, because it uses copper and gets corroded really bad with the R410A. Lennox has changed to aluminum evap coils, but it took many years to make that change, costing consumers $.

[@bobboscarato1313]

I quit selling Lennox equipment 35 years ago and started selling Trane and American Standard equipment.

[@NewHVACGuide]

It’s not the refrigerant corroding the coils.

[@bobboscarato1313]

@@NewHVACGuide What is it? We had Katy A/C in Houston telling home owners to pour bleach in the drain pan. They were selling lots of coils back then!

[@elgringoec]

The refrigerant itself does not react with copper. Probably something like contamination in the system reacting with the strange oil forming acidic compounds... Whatever it is, I'm sure it's discovered and well documented by now.

[@bobboscarato1313]

That's terrible. I was a Lennox Dealer until 1984. Then I switched to American Standard//Trane. We sold all equipment with P&L warranties for customer peace of mind...and ours as well.

[@gregfisher216]

A pig in a poke !!

[@shadowbanned69]

No disrespect...but if i had a company...id still buy it...r12 and r22 are the best...period

[@NewHVACGuide]

I hear ya. But you won’t be able to forever 🙂

[@leroydrayton1910]

Worry about the stupid crap but they don't care what sort of criminals come across the border

[@94XJ]

What is the EPA going to do about migrants? Just like any corporation- the government has departments with different areas of focus. You gotta give the EPA some credit - their work in correl with other nations helped eliminate a lot of the chemicals doing harm and allowed it to repair. As far as partisan politics, President Trump signed these laws in with bipartisan support. The change might be difficult but we must be good stewards of the resources we have.

[@falleruen]

The freon cartels

[@bigraysballcards]

Great information and it got me wondering that if I have an older AC unit and need to replace the refrigerant, will I be able to still buy what it requires by the manual or is there a replacement product for the older units? Thanks for sharing

[@bobboscarato1313]

There are several substitutes for R22 available and a lot cheaper like R407C.

[@bigraysballcards]

@@bobboscarato1313 Thank you Bob.

[@gtpforever]

I don't think the fines are high enough. Who cares if you get fined a quarter of a million dollars or $350,000 if you're making millions those tiny fines aren't going to hurt you 🤷‍♂️

[@NewHVACGuide]

How much do you think they should fine them for a first time offense?

[@gtpforever]

@@NewHVACGuide millions. Takes the profits away. 🤷‍♂️

[@jimw7550]

As prices rise, the importers and manufacturers profit much more than before limits were set. Legal monopoly that is enforced by the government.

[@gtpforever]

@@jimw7550 change the amounts. Kinda like they do for our traffic tickets. 🤷‍♂️😂

[@sheldon8115]

407 C is one of those band Freon

[@leunam3434]

When will we get the perfect refrigerant?

[@NewHVACGuide]

Some say there isn’t one. R290 is 3 GWP but highly flammable. But that might be where we are heading

[@carllungwitz5171]

Is EPA certification required for handling R410a? If not it should be.

[@bobboscarato1313]

Any and all refrigerants require EPA certification!

[@sarahateia9144]

To buy and sell or just buy ?