How much does R-22 cost?

How much R-22 costs has increased dramatically because its production and import were banned in developed countries from January 1, 2020, leaving only reclaimed and recycled supplies. R-22, also known as Freon-22 or HCFC-22, was once inexpensive at a few dollars per pound when mass produced, but now a 25-pound cylinder of reclaimed R-22 in the United States typically costs between 500 and 1200 dollars wholesale depending on supplier, purity, and market conditions, which is about 20 to 50 dollars per pound. Retail pricing charged by HVAC contractors to homeowners is higher, often 80 to 150 dollars per pound including service call, recovery, and charging labor, so a typical recharge of 5 to 10 pounds for a residential system can cost 400 to 1500 dollars just for refrigerant. Smaller cans cost more per pound than bulk. Prices fluctuate seasonally, higher in summer when demand for AC repair peaks. In some developing countries where phase-out is slower, R-22 may be cheaper but prices are still rising globally. Compared to new refrigerants like R-410A or R-32 which cost much less per pound, R-22 is now one of the most expensive common refrigerants due to scarcity and regulatory handling costs.