Heat pumps use one of three main refrigerants, and which one matters for repairs and future costs

Your heat pump contains a refrigerant—a chemical that circulates through the system to move heat in and out of your home. The specific refrigerant depends on when your heat pump was made. Older systems use R-22 (also called Freon, though that's technically a brand name). Systems made between roughly 2010 and 2023 use R-410A. Newer units installed from 2023 onward use R-454B or similar low-global-warming-potential refrigerants. The refrigerant type affects repair costs, availability, and whether your system can be serviced by any technician.

You don't need to add refrigerant yourself—that's a job for a licensed HVAC technician. But knowing which refrigerant your system uses helps you understand repair quotes and plan for maintenance costs down the road.

Key Takeaways

  • R-22 refrigerant, used in heat pumps made before 2010, is being phased out and costs significantly more when repairs require a recharge.
  • R-410A is the standard in most heat pumps installed between 2010 and 2023 and is widely available from technicians at moderate cost.
  • Newer refrigerants like R-454B are becoming standard in 2023+ units and are designed to have less environmental impact than older options.
  • You can find your heat pump's refrigerant type on the nameplate or specification sheet attached to the outdoor unit.
  • Mixing refrigerants or using the wrong type will damage your system, so always hire a licensed technician for any refrigerant work.

How to find out which refrigerant your heat pump uses

The easiest way is to look at the nameplate on your outdoor unit. This is a metal or plastic label attached to the side or back of the unit. It lists the model number, serial number, and refrigerant type. Look for a line that says "Refrigerant:" or "Ref:" followed by a code like R-22, R-410A, or R-454B.

If the nameplate is faded or missing, you can also check your original paperwork from installation or your most recent service report. Your HVAC technician can also tell you during a routine maintenance visit. Do not guess or assume—using the wrong refrigerant will cause compressor failure and is expensive to repair.

R-22: the older refrigerant and why it costs more

R-22 was the standard refrigerant in heat pumps and air conditioners made before 2010. It is still in use in many older systems, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has phased out its production. New R-22 has not been manufactured in the United States since 2020, though recycled and reclaimed R-22 is still available.

This scarcity makes R-22 expensive. A refrigerant recharge for an R-22 system can cost two to three times more than the same service on an R-410A system. If your heat pump is over 15 years old and uses R-22, a major leak that requires a full recharge may cost $1,500 to $2,500 or more, depending on your region and the size of your system. For this reason, many homeowners with aging R-22 systems choose to replace the entire unit rather than pay for a major repair.

R-410A: the current standard in most systems

R-410A became the EPA-mandated replacement for R-22 and has been the standard refrigerant in new heat pumps since 2010. It is widely available, and most HVAC technicians stock it or can obtain it quickly. A refrigerant recharge with R-410A typically costs $300 to $800, depending on how much refrigerant your system needs and your location.

R-410A operates at higher pressures than R-22, so systems designed for R-410A cannot use R-22, and vice versa. If your heat pump uses R-410A and develops a leak, your technician will locate and repair the leak, then recharge the system with new R-410A. This is a routine service that most HVAC companies can handle quickly.

Newer refrigerants like R-454B and the shift to lower-impact options

Starting in 2023, manufacturers began transitioning to refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP). R-454B is one of the most common new options. These refrigerants are designed to have less environmental impact if they leak into the atmosphere, though they still require the same professional handling and leak prevention as older refrigerants.

If you are buying a new heat pump, it will almost certainly use one of these newer refrigerants. Availability and repair costs for R-454B and similar options are still establishing themselves, but early data suggests they will be priced similarly to R-410A once supply chains mature. Technicians are being trained on these new refrigerants, and most HVAC companies are adding them to their service inventory.

What happens if your heat pump leaks refrigerant

A refrigerant leak is one of the most common heat pump problems. You may notice that your system is not heating or cooling as well as it used to, or that it runs constantly without reaching the temperature you set. These are signs that refrigerant is low.

Do not try to add refrigerant yourself. A licensed HVAC technician must locate the leak, repair it (usually by replacing a valve, fitting, or section of tubing), and then recharge the system with the correct refrigerant. Depending on the size and location of the leak, this can cost $300 to $1,500. Small leaks in fittings are cheaper to fix than leaks in the compressor or coils.

If your system is old and has had multiple leaks, your technician may recommend replacement rather than another repair. This is especially true for R-22 systems, where the cost of refrigerant makes repeated repairs uneconomical.

Why you cannot mix refrigerants or use the wrong type

Each heat pump is designed to work with one specific refrigerant. Mixing refrigerants or using the wrong type will cause the compressor to fail, which is the most expensive component to replace. The compressor can cost $1,500 to $3,000 or more, plus labor.

This is why it is critical to hire a licensed HVAC technician for any work involving refrigerant. Technicians are trained to identify the correct refrigerant, handle it safely, and dispose of old refrigerant according to EPA rules. They also use specialized equipment to measure the exact amount of refrigerant your system needs, which varies by system size and design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use R-410A in a heat pump that was made for R-22?

No. R-22 and R-410A operate at different pressures and require different compressor oils. Using R-410A in an R-22 system will damage the compressor. If your R-22 system needs refrigerant, you must use R-22 or have the entire system converted by a technician, which is usually not worth the cost.

Is Freon the same as refrigerant?

Freon is a brand name for one type of refrigerant, originally used for R-22. People often use "Freon" to mean any refrigerant, but technically it refers only to DuPont's product line. Your technician will use the specific refrigerant code (R-22, R-410A, etc.) to make sure they use the right one.

How often does a heat pump need a refrigerant recharge?

A properly sealed heat pump should not need a refrigerant recharge during its lifetime. If your system is losing refrigerant, there is a leak. Your technician should find and fix the leak, then recharge the system once. If you need multiple recharges, the leak was not fully repaired.

What should I do if my heat pump is leaking refrigerant?

Turn off the system and call a licensed HVAC technician. Do not try to add refrigerant yourself. The technician will locate the leak, repair it, and recharge the system with the correct refrigerant for your model.

Will my new heat pump use a different refrigerant than my old one?

Possibly. If your old system is more than 10 years old, it likely uses R-410A or R-22. New systems use R-454B or similar low-GWP refrigerants. This does not affect how you use the system, but it means your old technician may need training on the new refrigerant type if you keep them for maintenance.