The price of freon, or R-22, went up again.

The government is in its next step in phasing out the stuff and switching over to a freon alternative that isn't hazardous to the ozone layer.

Bobby Lynn with Aire Serv of Smith County says its creating problems for many customers because they can't afford to buy a new unit ... yet the cost of coolant for their older one is skyrocketing in the meantime.

Lynn says if you have a leak or another major problem, it may be best to go ahead and switch over to a new unit.

The city of Tyler is in the process of doing just that with the Rose Garden's older chiller.

"It has some freon refrigerant leaks so looking at what it would take to fix those leaks and continue on with it being an R-22 system, it was determined it would be much more cost effective to replace the chiller," said city engineer Carter Delleney.

Lynn says most contractors will give you a free estimate on what it would cost to go ahead and make the switch if you haven't already done so.