R-22 price per pound — October 19, 2026
HCFC-22 / Freon. Older (mostly pre-2010) residential systems; service only — no new production or import since 2020. Safety class A1.
R-22 has not been produced or imported in the US since Jan 1, 2020. Existing systems can still be serviced with reclaimed or pre-2020 R-22. See the EPA timeline.
Every listing we found this week
| Seller | Product | Cyl. | Price | $/lb | Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PES Supply Online electrical/solar & HVAC supply |
R-22 30 lb, reclaimed (AHRI-700) Reclaimed, not virgin. Shipping quoted separately (freight). |
30 lb | $279.00 | $9.30 | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Delta Refrigerants Online refrigerant seller |
R-22 30 lb, virgin (pre-2020 stock) | 30 lb | $325.00 | $10.83 | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Refrigerants Center Online refrigerant seller |
30 lb R-22 The same seller has a second 30 lb R-22 listing at $899 (https://refrigerantscenter.com/products/r22-refrigerant-30-lbs) — not included; ask before you buy. |
30 lb | $349.00 | $11.63 | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Ability Refrigerants Online refrigerant seller |
R-22 30 lbs, virgin factory-sealed Free shipping, lower 48. |
30 lb | $449.00 | $14.97 | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Twisted Refrigerant (wholesale) Wholesale/online |
R-22 30 lb cylinder | 30 lb | $450.00 | $15.00 | Oct 19, 2026 |
Single-cylinder list prices from each seller's own page. We don't vet sellers; confirm stock, shipping and certification requirements before you pay.
What contractors charge for R-22 (installed, per lb)
| Source | Reported $/lb |
|---|---|
| Angi — Refrigerant replacement cost (2026 data) Cost guide · published Oct 15, 2026 | $90–$150/lb |
| HomeGuide — Fair price for R-22 (normal hours; emergency/after-hours $150–$250) Cost guide · published May 1, 2026 | $90–$150/lb |
Installed per-lb prices include the tech's time, equipment, recovery, overhead and margin — they are not comparable to cylinder prices. Many shops also charge a service call/diagnostic fee.
Buyback for R-22
| Program | Refrigerant | Published rate | Fees / terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC Distributors, Inc. reclaim program Paid as credit based on net yield after the reclaimer tests the gas. |
R-22 | > 97%: $4.00/lb 90–97%: $3.00/lb < 90%: no rebate | $7.50 per tank (testing, certification, cleaning); free pickup Effective: 2024-08-23 (as posted) |
| A-Gas Refri-Claim 'Simple Swap' at Johnstone Supply (Western PA flyer) Credit can take 90–120+ days. Johnstone says payouts can change without notice. Ask your branch. |
R-22 | 99.5%+: $2.50/lb 98–99.4%: $2.00/lb 90–97.9%: $0.50/lb | $15 service charge per 30 or 50 lb cylinder Effective: Flyer date not shown — may be outdated |
| Hudson Technologies refrigerant buyback / SRT No public per-lb rates; 'competitive market prices', pays for mixed refrigerants. Quote required. |
All types | No public rate — quote only | Hudson says it picks up cylinders and pays freight both ways Effective: n/a |
| A-Gas Rapid Recovery On-site recovery service in 50+ metros; no public buyback rates. |
All types | No public rate — quote only | Quoted per job Effective: n/a |
| American Refrigerants national buyback Says it does not post prices; lists R-22 as 'highest priority', R-410A min. 5 lb. |
All types | No public rate — quote only | Custom quote Effective: n/a |
Buyback is usually paid as account credit after the reclaimer tests purity and net weight. Recovered gas must go to an EPA-certified reclaimer before it can be resold to another owner. Rates checked October 19, 2026.
Is my R-22 quote fair?
Got a repair quote that lists refrigerant by the pound? Compare it to what published cost guides and contractor price lists report. Find the refrigerant type on the outdoor unit's data plate.
Disclaimer: This is a rough comparison to published ranges, not an appraisal of any contractor. Real prices vary by region, season, after-hours calls, and what's bundled into the per-lb price (diagnostics, leak search, recovery, labor). A higher price is not proof of overcharging and a lower one is not proof of a good job. Ask for an itemized quote, and ask whether a leak was found — refrigerant doesn't get "used up". Only EPA 608-certified techs may buy and charge refrigerant.
How much does R-22 cost per pound?
As of October 19, 2026, the median online list price for R-22 was $11.63/lb ($9.30–$15.00/lb across 5 listings, 30 lb cylinders), before shipping and tax. Published guides and contractor price lists report installed charges of roughly $90–$150/lb.
Get the weekly refrigerant price index.
Free, every week.