One word. No not plastics*. Regulation.
*”The Graduate”
Could be a side-effect of the recent TSCA bill.
I’ll go with EPA, perhaps other fed jerks.
It’s illegal in the United States, isn’t it?
Thats because Dupont developed an alternative to freon and convinced the greenies that its environmentally unsafe and they are the only place to save the environment and the keep the ozone hole from spreading
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final phasedown schedule regarding production and importation of HCFC-22 on Oct. 16. The order calls for an immediate drop from 51 million pounds allowed in 2014 to 22 million pounds beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Subsequently, 18 million pounds of new and imported R-22 will be allowed in 2016, 13 million pounds in 2017, 9 million pounds in 2018, and 4 million pounds in 2019. No new or imported R-22 will be allowed in the U.S. on or after Jan. 1, 2020.
The only source for R-22 is reclaimed from existing machines and whatever new old stock remains. Thank the EPA.
Algore thanks you from one of his mansions.
You got ripped off, a 30lb bottle of R22 is only $275.
Just like new car models people wanted to change to something to make more profit. There are replacement products that are said to be more environmental friendly which means more money will be taken by the government. You can get a “license” to purchase refrigerants form a car parts store for about $20 which consists of an open book test mailed to a licensing company.
Supply and demand.
I was in the mobile AC supply business when the Montreal Protocol was put in place. It was nothing more then a taxing scheme. You are paying a little for the product and a heap of taxes that goes god knows where.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Protocol
Wholesale in our area is between $375 and $520. The price should be around $30 per pound.
I used to drive buses for a Christian summer camp. One of the buses used R-12
The cost was insane. We finally ended up switching out to a R134 system. It was costing $1000 just for a recharge.
It is no longer made, ruled bad for the Ozone. All new home systems using 410C way cheaper also
1) the patents expired
2) industry developed a new, patented product
3) corrupt politicians banned the manufacture of the old coolant to promote sales of the new patented product. For the children, of course.
4) existing supplies of the old coolant became increasingly valuable despite the expiration of the patent, while consumers were forced to buy new, more expensive, and less efficient appliances.
The old coolant is, of course, cheaply available in much of the world, but in the US, industry made money, the politicians made money, and the consumer got screwed.
When the Ozone Hole doesn’t get any smaller, who to sue?
Anyone have any experience with drop-in replacements for R-22 like http://www.comstarproducts.com/rs-44-refrigerant
1 dollar to cover the cost of materials, 99 dollars for regulatory costs.
You got by cheap...I was recently quoted $350 a pound for R-22. Due to environmental idiocy R-22 is no longer manufactured and what is available is from recycled sources. Probably cheaper to replace your AC than do repairs and refill an R-22 system. Be careful about cheap R-22. I have heard that disreputable types are using propane turning your AC into a bomb.