[charlinevk]

We had a new central A/C unit installed last summer. Now were were told yesterday that as of December no more parts will be available to service R-22 units. Can anyone tell me if this is true?

[KISS]

Here's the general regulations for refrigerents:

Phaseout Schedule for HCFCs Including R-22
Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. agreed to meet certain obligations by specific dates that will affect the residential heat pump and air-conditioning industry:

January 1, 2004:
In accordance with the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the amount of all HCFCs that can be produced nationwide must be reduced by 35% by 2004. In order to achieve this goal, the U.S. is ceasing production of HCFC-141b, the most ozone-damaging of this class of chemicals, on January 1, 2003. This production ban will greatly reduce nationwide use of HCFCs as a group, making it likely that the 2004 deadline will have a minimal effect on R-22 supplies.

January 1, 2010:
After 2010, chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing equipment, but not for use in new equipment. As a result, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system manufacturers will only be able to use pre-existing supplies of R-22 to produce new air conditioners and heat pumps. These existing supplies would include R-22 recovered from existing equipment and recycled.

January 1, 2020:
Use of existing refrigerant, including refrigerant that has been recovered and recycled, will be allowed beyond 2020 to service existing systems, but chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22 to service existing air conditioners and heat pumps. For more information about this phaseout, see fact sheets about the HCFC Phaseout Schedule and Frequently Asked Questions on the HCFC Phaseout.

One can assume that the manufacturer must supply parts such as compressors for the duration of the warranty which could easily be 10 years.

Coils and compressors could be picked up by aftermarket manufacturer's, but you need to be concerned about the year 2020. TXV's should be picked up by the aftermarket manufacturer's.

I think this leaves warranty replacements until 2020. After 2020, R22 and replacement parts in the R22 freon circuit will get scarce.

It's a pay now or pay later game. R410A stuff is more expensive now and should get cheaper in the future. R22 is cheaper now, but will get more expensive to service in he future.

[hvac1000]

Now were were told yesterday that as of December no more parts will be available to service R-22 units

Someone lied to you.

[jw314o]

U ill still be abile to use your unit they are just starting to fase out the product r22 becous of cfc's all of your refrigerent will be reused becous they will no longer make that type of refrigerent. The year 2020 is when u won't be abile to yous it anymore.