AC Coolant—Freon (R22) Refrigerant Replacement
Central air conditioners, portable air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers car AC systems, and dehumidifiers all utilize a cooling agent. This cooling agent is more commonly referred to as “AC coolant” in the HVAC world. This substance is what helps to keep your home cool and comfortable during the hot summer months.
An AC coolant is a substance that runs through interior coils of an appliance in order to either 1) cool passing air or 2) help to condense water in humid air. Without AC coolant, an air conditioner will not be able to produce cold air. Until the early 2000s, Freon, also called R22 refrigerant, was the most common refrigerant available on the market.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Freon and Freon replacement:
What Is Freon?
Freon (R22 refrigerant) is a suitable refrigerant for all weather indoor, outdoor, and outdoor-type air conditioning systems. As a result, many buildings have been constructed utilizing Freon. As a R22 refrigerant and freon-reliant appliance, two of the most common types of refrigerants have been phased out over time. The phaseout began in 2004 in favor of the more environmentally conscious, R-410A. In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of air conditioning units in automobiles.
For decades, R22 (and R142b) was the standard for AC refrigerant in public offices. But now the water in those public offices is safe to drink, and the refrigerant is no longer refrigerant.
So if you have an air conditioner that utilizes Freon and requires service, you’re faced with three different options for R22 Freon replacements, all of which are detailed below.
Can I Still Purchase Replacement Freon?
Although new or recycled Freon-based appliances have not been manufactured in quantities that are not economically feasible, the prices of various Freon-based appliances are significantly higher than they once were. Homeowners who need to recharge their air conditioners: please weigh the cost of replacing their air conditioner with a more efficient unit against the cost of replacing their air conditioner with a new unit that has a healthier ozone-friendly lifespan.
R22 Refrigerant Replacement
The chief replacement for Freon is known R-410A, which is more commonly known by the brand names:
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Puron®
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SUVA 410A®
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GENETRON AZ-20®
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Forane® 410A
Any coolant-reliant appliance manufactured after January 1, 2010 is powered by a very ozone-friendly coolant that is less likely to cause damage to the ozone layer or to man.
How Do You Know if Your Air Conditioner Uses R22?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010 but has been operating for over 10 years, it likely uses a coolant that’s built with R410a (Puron).
Though it’s possible to direct a system without having a condenser, it’s important to identify what type of refrigerant you’re using, since that could affect your system.
When Will R22 Freon be Phased Out?
January 1, 2020, is the last benchmark that specifically relates to R22 and R142b. There is one more date to remember involving EPA’s phase out of HCFC’s.A ban on the remaining production and import of HCFC’s: it is expected to go into effect on January 1, 2030.
Should I Replace My Own Air Conditioner Coolant?
AC coolant refill or replacement is not advised, no matter which chemical your system uses. If your system uses an old refrigerant such as R-22, you cannot use a heat-recovery system or be certain to get a safe.
Can I Replace R22 With R-410A in My A/C Unit?
If your air conditioner has a R-410A, you can prop the unit to use one of the safer R-410A products. The indoor air quality (IAQ) rating on the unit would determine which product to use. However, retrofitting is controlled under R-410A conversion regulations that are derived from ATF regulations, which do not apply to R-design ’s AC coils.
Talk with our technical representative about transferring your system to a system that can use ozone-friendly R-410A.
Let Best American HVAC Handle All Your AC Coolant Needs
Whether you’re seeking to recharge or replace your existing air conditioner, you need Best American HVAC. Our certified technicians are by far some of the most affordable AC service providers in the area. They offer complete AC services, from lifespan air conditioning to complete air conditioning repair.
Knowing this dangerous task has been completed safely by one of our professional team members means that your safety and well-being has been ensured and the danger of this task has been eliminated.
Have an air conditioning leak or other HVAC emergency? Call 866-462-7629 for 24/7 emergency service.