R-22 system repair and replacement in Garland, TX comes down to a refrigerant that is no longer produced. R-22, also called Freon, was phased out in the United States, so remaining supply is reclaimed and costly, and a system that leaks is often better replaced than recharged. Use Call Now to describe your system and you will be connected with an independent HVAC contractor serving 9 ZIP codes around Garland.
Is my AC an R-22 system?
The nameplate on the outdoor unit lists the refrigerant type, so start there. R-22 is common in systems installed before about 2010, while many installed afterward use R-410A. An old system whose label says R-22 deserves extra thought before repairs.
Your options
| Option | When it makes sense | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Repair a small, accessible leak | Newer system, good condition otherwise | Only if the leak is found and the cost is reasonable. |
| Replace the outdoor unit and coil | Mid-life system with other good parts | Needs a matched system. |
| Recharge with reclaimed R-22 | Short-term fix | Supply is limited and the leak remains. |
| Replace the whole system | Old system, repeated failures or major leaks | Lets you choose efficiency and current refrigerant. |
What the phase-out means
Since the start of 2020, EPA rules have ended the production and import of R-22, leaving only reclaimed or stockpiled supply. Recharging a leaking system has to be repeated and never fixes the leak. Substitutes that are not approved can harm the system, which is why you should ask the technician what is allowed for your equipment.
Newer refrigerants
R-410A is what current systems use, and manufacturers are shifting to refrigerants with lower global-warming potential, R-32 and R-454B among them. Find out which refrigerant your new equipment takes and who is certified to service it.
How an R-22 system repair or replacement visit works, step by step
Technicians who follow the same steps in the same order find the actual cause, not just the symptom. Knowing those steps lets you distinguish a thorough diagnostic visit from a part swap.
- Interview: what you noticed, when it started, how the system sounds and what you have already tried.
- Visual check: thermostat settings, filter, supply and return registers, the air handler, the condensate line and the outdoor unit.
- Electrical tests: breaker and disconnect, capacitor microfarad rating, contactor contacts, motor amperage and control voltage.
- Airflow and temperature: the temperature drop across the evaporator coil and, where needed, static pressure in the ductwork.
- Refrigerant checks: pressures, superheat and subcooling, and a leak search if the charge is low.
- A written finding: the cause, the repair options and what each one would fix, before any part is replaced.
Questions to ask before approving a repair
- What failed, how did you confirm it and can you show me the part or the reading?
- What are my options: repair now, repair and monitor, or replace?
- Will you give me the findings and the scope in writing before work starts?
- How old is the system and which refrigerant does it use?
- Is this the cause or a symptom of something else, such as low airflow or a leak?
Mistakes that make AC problems worse
- Ignoring a dirty filter. It is the most common cause of poor airflow and frozen coils.
- Running a frozen system. Ice means airflow or refrigerant is wrong, and running it can damage the compressor.
- Putting off a small repair. A weak capacitor can take out a compressor if left alone.
- Setting the thermostat much lower to cool faster. An AC cools at a steady rate, so it only runs longer.
- Adding refrigerant without finding the leak. The charge will drop again and the leak may grow.
What shapes the written scope
Two AC calls that sound alike can be very different jobs. The written scope should say what the technician found and which of these factors applied.
Have the provider show the diagnostic and the repair as separate items, and list any parts, labor or follow-up that are left out.
- Access to the air handler in the attic or closet and to the outdoor unit
- Whether the fault is an electrical part, an airflow problem, a refrigerant leak or a drainage problem
- Whether the ductwork, return air or thermostat contributes to the problem
- The age, tonnage and refrigerant type of the system
- Warranty status of the parts and whether the equipment is registered with the manufacturer
Prepare your Garland home before the technician arrives
- Check that the outdoor disconnect and the breaker are on, but do not open electrical panels
- Replace or check the filter, and clear furniture from the return grille and the air handler
- Set the thermostat to cool and note what it shows and what the house temperature is
- Clear weeds, leaves and debris from around the outdoor unit
- Write down the sounds, smells, leaks or ice you have noticed, and when
Safety and rules to know
Three hazards share one machine in an air conditioner: high-voltage electricity, pressurized refrigerant and moving parts. Opening electrical panels, bridging contactors and adding refrigerant are not jobs for homeowners, and capacitors can keep a charge after the power is off.
Certification under EPA Section 608 is required in the United States for anyone buying or handling refrigerant, which must be recovered instead of vented. Request the technician's certification and confirm the contractor's licence through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (A/C contractor license).
What makes R-22 system repair or replacement different in Garland
Dallas County suburb of roughly 250,000 east of Dallas, next to Lake Ray Hubbard and Rowlett. Summers regularly reach the upper 90s and 100s, so AC runs almost continuously from June to September.
Housing from the 1960s to the 1980s often has attic ductwork and older systems, including R-22 era equipment. Clay soil can shift and tilt condenser pads. The diagnosis and the equipment recommendation for your address can both be shaped by these local conditions, so ask the technician how.
R-22 system repair or replacement across Garland and nearby cities
Air Conditioning Repair Garland covers 9 ZIP codes in Garland, Texas: 75040, 75041, 75042, 75043, 75044, 75045, 75046, 75047, 75049. Calls and requests also reach providers serving Rowlett, Sachse, Richardson, Plano and Wylie. Coverage is confirmed address by address, so give your ZIP code when you call.
Use Call Now at the top of the page, say what the system is doing and how old it is, and you will be connected with an independent HVAC contractor who confirms your address and diagnoses the system in person.
Related help in Garland
If this is not quite your situation, these pages cover the neighboring questions: AC Replacement; AC Not Cooling; Duct Repair and Sealing; AC Installation. The service area list shows every nearby city and ZIP code covered.
R-22 System Repair or Replacement in Garland: common questions
Can I convert my R-22 system to R-410A?
No; compatible equipment is required, since R-410A operates at higher pressures and a refrigerant swap on its own will not do.
Is it illegal to use R-22?
Existing systems can legally be serviced with reclaimed R-22, although production has ended.
What do I do with the old refrigerant?
EPA rules require a certified technician to recover it.
Should I replace only the outdoor unit?
Not usually, because the indoor coil and line set also affect efficiency and reliability.
How old is too old?
A system over 15 years with a leak or major failure is a good candidate for replacement.
Can R-22 still be bought?
Reclaimed and stockpiled R-22 is available but limited and expensive.