What is the cost of R-22 per kg?

The cost of R-22 per kilogram varies by region, supplier, and whether it is virgin stock produced before ban, reclaimed, or retail with service charges, but it has become very expensive due to phase-out. In the United States, reclaimed R-22 wholesale in cylinders has been around 20 to 50 dollars per pound in recent years, which converts to about 44 to 110 dollars per kilogram, since 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds. Retail price charged by HVAC contractors to homeowners for adding R-22 to a system is much higher, often 80 to 150 dollars per pound including labor, which is about 176 to 330 dollars per kilogram. In other markets like India or Europe where phase-out schedules differ and some virgin production may still exist under allowances, prices may be lower per kg but still rising. Small disposable cans cost far more per kg than bulk cylinders. Prices fluctuate with supply of reclaimed material, seasonal demand for AC repair in summer, and regulatory changes. Compared to when it was mass produced and cost only a few dollars per pound, R-22 now costs many times more, making it one of the most expensive common refrigerants and encouraging replacement of old R-22 systems with new systems using cheaper and more available refrigerants like R-32 or R-410A.