Mikes numbers line up with a recent news article I read.
http://www.amazon.com/R-22-Refrigera...7047338&sr=8-1
Maybe the stuff I'm seeing for $10 - $12 per pound isn't the same stuff we're talking about?
Bizarre for R22, given that it's still in production. My bill (as I mentioned, from a fairly high-priced full freight place) itemized it as $40 per pound installed. That was April 27th this year.
I saw 30 pound tanks delivered including tank for $425.
As phil said, I'd be inclined to call another plumber and find out what they charge for the same coolant. If it's 4-6 pounds, and the service charges are the same, that's a big price difference.
My unit is R-22, and in a preemptive strike I bought a 30lb can when the price was about $90 or so. Add to that whats left of the partial 30lb can when the unit was installed, and I'm covered.
A long time ago, maybe 20 years ago now, I bought a 30 pound tank of R22 and a set of gauges. When my air conditioner is low on coolant, I add the R22 myself. I also bought a 30 pound bottle of R12 at the same time (which was used in autos). Now that a new coolant is used in cars, I sold the bottle of R12 at a pretty good price per pound. It would have been a good investment to buy a warehouse full of R12 bottles back then. Did a lot better than the stock market.
Mike
Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.