How much 1 kilogram of R-22 gas costs varies by market, supplier, and whether it is reclaimed or new old stock, but it has become very expensive due to phase-out. In the United States where virgin production was banned in 2020, only reclaimed R-22 is available, wholesale prices have ranged from about 44 to 110 dollars per kilogram, which is 20 to 50 dollars per pound, since 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds. Retail price charged by HVAC contractors to homeowners is significantly higher when including service, often 80 to 150 dollars per pound, which translates to roughly 176 to 330 dollars per kilogram for the refrigerant alone plus labor. In Europe and other developed regions, prices are similarly high. In some developing countries where HCFC production still has limited allowances under Montreal Protocol until 2030, 1 kg of R-22 might cost 10 to 25 dollars per kg wholesale, but prices are rising as phase-out progresses. Small disposable cans cost more per kilogram than bulk cylinders. So 1 kg of R-22 is now considered expensive refrigerant, often costing several hundred dollars retail, making it economical to consider replacing old R-22 systems with new systems using cheaper refrigerants like R-32 or R-410A.
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