As Refrigerant Prices Rise, Contractors Look at Ways to Reduce Inventory Expense

The AIM Act is really going to influence how HVAC/R contactors will do business going forward. With the phase out of R-22 in 2019 and the phase down of R-410a coming in 2024, many are expressing concern on how they will be able to afford the different refrigerants used in the systems they sell and service. In addition, the Act is expected to ban disposable cylinders, requiring the contractor to use returnable cylinders for all bulk refrigerants. These changes are huge and will really affect how they do business going forward.

If you think about it, just a few years ago we were able to service residential equipment with just R-22. When R-22 was phased out, we added dry charge R-407C equipment and then R-421a and other R-22 replacements to save money. R-410a equipment came along and now it is being replaced. No matter how old you are, if you are doing service in this industry, you will be using R-22, R-410a, R-407C, R-410a, R-32 and R-454b refrigerants for the rest of your career! As products get phased down or phased out, the prices are not expected to drop. Can you imagine the investment this will require? Add in returnable cylinders and you're looking at a small fortune, sitting on each truck.

There is an alternative. Use small, affordable cans of refrigerant. These small cans are NOT affected by the disposable ban. You can keep full control of your inventory with convenient 2lb or less small cans of popular refrigerants. These containers are specifically designed to service modern AC, HP and Dehumidifers and can be used with any hose with core depression.

Chem Penn, the chemical company of Pennsylvania offers a wide range of refrigerant products for the HVAC/R industry in exempt small can sizes. These products are designed to help your company reach its full potential. They carry R-32, R-410a, R-410a with UV and leak stop, R-404a, R-134a, R-404a, R-407c and R-22 both with UV and leak stop. The threading and adaptor used on all the refrigerants are the standard 1/4" SAE. If you need hydrocarbon refrigerants, they carry R-290 and R-600a, in small cans and those products which use the 7/16" fitting. All Chem Penn products are manufactured in the USA.