Older heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems use R-22 coolant,. Over the next several years, the A/C industry plans to slowly phase out R-22 as newer systems take over the market, making this product more difficult and expensive to come by. This opens the doors to illegally imported replacement blends and R-22 substitutes that can be incredibly damaging and dangerous to homeowners. Uncertified HVAC companies may try to pass off counterfeit R-22 as the real deal, so you must know how to protect yourself from this scam.
Dangers Associated With Counterfeit R-22
Illegally imported coolants have flooded the market as “replacement brands” for R-22. In reality, they’re dangerous mixtures of hydrocarbons, R-40, and R134a. R-40 was the original coolant used for older HVAC systems, but companies no longer accept it as a refrigerant after the introduction of chlorofluorocarbons that are better on the ozone layer. Counterfeit R-22 coolants with R-40 can form a highly flammable, self-igniting, and explosive gas when exposed to aluminum.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pinpointed several risks associated with using counterfeit or “mixed” coolants in air conditioning systems, including cases of refrigerant containers exploding and causing fires. Counterfeit R-22 can melt HVAC systems, leading to expensive repairs and total overhauls. If the type of mixture you have is explosive when exposed to air, your family could be at risk. Luckily, you can trust certified air conditioning technicians to eradicate the problem and guarantee your safety from false products in the future.
How To Protect Your System From Artificial Coolants
Always check the label on the coolants your HVAC technician is using before allowing the company to do any work on your system. The label should be a brand-name coolant company that doesn’t list a suspicious variation of R-22, such as R-22a.”Ask to see your technician’s certification, and choose a different company if they won’t let you. Every trustworthy business offers this information readily and will always answer questions about the coolant used.
The only way to avoid getting scammed by untrustworthy technicians or coolant con artists is to hire a high-quality heating and cooling service company. Hader Solutions is dedicated to providing outstanding heating and cooling services to the residents of the Cincinnati, OH area. For more than 130 years, we’ve been specialists in our industry who are passionate about safe, efficient, and reliable HVAC services. When you need a company you can depend on to use brand name R-22 coolant perfect for your home or commercial system, come to Hader Solutions. Contact us online or call today to schedule an appointment.
