Jay Kestenbaum (far right), president of Refron Inc., discusses refrigerants with Dale Clune (left) and Bud Johnson of Johnson Mechanical Inc. at the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition. (Photo by Dave Wilks.)

With much of the nation gripped in a deep freeze, HVACR contractors and technicians probably aren’t consumed by the question of how much R-22 they will be able to get when things start heating up this summer. But for many of them, the question is probably in the back of their minds.

R-22 is an HCFC refrigerant due for eventual phaseout. According to EPA regulations, overall production of HCFCs has to be reduced by 35 percent beginning in 2004.

What does 2003 hold for supplies of R-22? Calls to various manufacturers and suppliers and conversations with some contractors offer the following points to consider:

 

• Supplies of R-22 should be adequate through 2003 — and possibility for a number of years after that.

   

• The cost per pound is expected to rise, after a period of stable and even declining prices.

   

• Recent government regulations are controlling the importation of refrigerants based on 1994 to 1997 levels. That move was designed to turn off the flow of refrigerant from such secondary sources as India and China, which may have turned up since 1997. And it may mean contractors will want to rely on more established distribution channels involving well-known manufacturers and reputable supply houses.