Do I have to upgrade from R22 to R410 ?

[trueman]

Hi All,

I am working on a roof replacement project in Cold Lake, Alberta. There are 2 to 3 A/C units (around 5 tone units) that are using R22. All we are doing is to uninstall the units and once the roofing is done, we will re-install the existing units back. In this situation, do we have to convert the refrigerants to R410 or R407? The units don't require any replacement or repair at this point.

Can someone tell me what code I need to check for this for my reference?

Thanks

 

[lukaiENG]

You can do your own research on local/national codes, but generally speaking the regulatory approach is that you cannot put a banned refrigerant into the unit. If you can take it down without degassing then maybe you can keep the units.

That being said, 5 ton units are tiny and cheap. if they are R22 they are also old. I would recommend replacing with something newer and more environmentally friendly.

 

[berkshire]

I do not know what your local code says , but in some areas you can back pump into storage tanks , then put the existing refrigerant back into the unit. After 2020 R22 will stop being made.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[trueman]

Thanks for your responses!
I talked to the client about the units and they said they are aware of it and looking for solution.

 

[GT-EGR]

Unless your municipality has some very strict requirements, this kind of project shouldn't require you to change the refrigerant.

If you can find the rehabilitation sub-code (thats what they call it in NJ) they usually define this. What you are doing wouldn't even be considered a repair, you are just moving it out of the way and just putting it back.

Generally speaking it's a good idea to move on from R-22, but you will also likely have to replace the line-set, which depending on how much piping you have could be way more work than you want right now.

 

[berkshire]

There is another substitute for R22 coming on line RS-70 (R453A) it is apparently non flammable and works at a lower pressure than R410.
So you do not have the line set replacement problems of R410. here is a data sheet.

http://www.refsols.com/files/RS-70/RS-70_Physical_data_and_Retrofit.pdf

B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.