410A Refrigerant Vs. R22 Refrigerant
Refrigerants are what make air conditioning possible. Contained within the coils of an air conditioner, these liquid agents cool and dehumidify indoor air. For years, the most common refrigerant used in air-conditioning systems was R-22. Since the early 1990’s a radical shift has been taking place in the air conditioning industry. R-22 refrigerant – also known as Freon – has been completely phased out of production in favor of a superior refrigerant called R410a, also known as Puron. The reasons for this shift in refrigerant are mainly environmental. R-22 poses serious environmental risks as leaks in A/C compressors contribute to releasing hydrochloroflourocarbons (HFCF’s) into the air, depleting the ozone layer and contributing to greenhouse warming.
Today, R410A, also known as Puron, is being used to replace Freon. Here is what the timetable looks like, inspired by the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental agreement signed by the United States in 1987.
Year 2010: All new air conditioning equipment will be built to use R410A, not R22.
Year 2020: R22 will become illegal to produce.
Year 2030: Complete phase-out of R22.
R-410A also functions at a higher pressure than R-22, so new compressors are built to withstand greater stresses, reducing the chance for cracking. If you were to put R-410A refrigerant into a system designed for R-22, the pressure would be too much and the unit would break.
All air conditioners use an oil to keep the compressor lubricated during operation. R-22 air conditioners use mineral oil and R-410A systems use synthetic oil. The synthetic oil is generally more soluble with R-410A than mineral oil is with R-22. This means the R-410A system operates more efficiently reducing wear and tear on the compressor.
What have you heard about these two refrigerants?
We can help give you unbiased answers!
- There is a limited supply of R-22 and its price will increase as supplies diminish
- R-410A offers greater efficiency, saving you in energy costs, and is much better for the environment.