Estimate refrigerant cost by type, system size, and charge deficit—so the recovery + recharge line item on your invoice is priced right, not guessed.
Unlike copper fittings or wire, refrigerant carries EPA Section 608 handling requirements, cylinder recovery obligations, and price volatility. A 50–150% markup is defensible and standard. A homeowner paying $200 in refrigerant at retail is paying $400–$600 from you—that's correct. You carry the cylinder cost, the recovery machine depreciation, and the regulatory risk.
R-22 production ended in 2020. Price is entirely market-driven reclaimed supply. Costs have ranged from $40 to $150+ per pound depending on market conditions. Always check current spot pricing before quoting any R-22 job—this calculator uses your input cost. For large R-22 systems, recommend replacement rather than continued recharge.
Use a refrigerant scale on every charge job and document the pounds added on the invoice. This protects you from "you overcharged the system" disputes, establishes your professionalism, and creates a record if there's another leak. Handwritten scale readings on the invoice are enough—it takes 30 seconds and it's your paper trail.
The HVAC Business Starter Kit includes a refrigerant pricing guide, service agreement template, and flat-rate price book covering 35 common jobs. Guide from $19 — Complete Kit with all 19 templates, $49.
Get the HVAC Kit →Incorrect refrigerant charge causes efficiency loss, compressor damage, and the kind of callbacks that cost you money and reputation. This calculator determines the correct refrigerant charge based on system specifications, line set length, and manufacturer requirements. Use it on every refrigerant service call to ensure you're adding or recovering the right amount — not guessing based on superheat alone.