What year did American manufacturers plan to switch to R-22?

The decision for American manufacturers to phase out R-22 was influenced by the environmental regulations set forth by the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol, which target substances that harm the ozone layer. The phase-out began in 2010, when the production and import of R-22 started to decline significantly, and the ultimate goal was to eliminate its use in residential air conditioning equipment by 2020.

The year 2015 was significant as it marked the mid-point of this transition, at which time the availability of R-22 started to diminish further, pushing manufacturers and consumers towards alternatives like R-410A. By 2020, the production of R-22 was officially banned, reinforcing the planned transition away from R-22. Thus, while 2010 was the starting point of the phase-out, it was 2015 that represented a critical transition period leading up to the complete switch, aligning with the timeline of reduced availability and regulatory changes impacting manufacturers and consumers alike.