If you're going to convert from R22 to R410A refrigerant, the best thing to do would be to flush the lines you have, and put in units, an air handler and condenser that is meant to use R410A. R410A and R-22 are just so different that doing stuff like you want to do won't really work.
You cannot just switch refrigerants because R410-A and R-22 have different chemical properties. R410-A operates at a higher pressure. If you put R410-A into an R-22 system, the parts will rupture due to the increased force.
How much will an R-22 to R-410A conversion cost? The actual cost will depend on many things, including where you live, but most of the time R-22 conversions start at around $2,000 and go up from there. The higher end of that range is somewhere around $4,500 to $4,600.
When you replace an air conditioner or heat pump and upgrade from R-22 to R-410A, the ideal solution is to replace your refrigerant lines. This is because the mineral oil used in R-22 systems is not compatible with the new R-410A refrigerant and oil.
To retrofit an R-22 system with R-410A system your line set must not be more than 25-50 feet in total distance. If the line set is longer than this, you will have to replace the line set with larger lines.
Never mix R-22 and R-410a.
So what the manufacturer recommends, the best option, is if you're going to go from an R22 unit to an R410 unit, that you should have your line set replaced at the same time. So everything is new. There's no contamination, there's no possibility of contamination.
Since R410A refrigerant is charged under higher pressure, charging an R22 system with it will increase the force within the coolant lines. The pressure can become high enough for parts of the system to rupture. At the very least, leaks will occur. Mixing refrigerants is not an option either.
When an HVAC system uses POE (Polyolester) oil, which is typical of current R410a systems, suction oil traps are not required* because POE is miscible in R410a in all phases (liquid, saturated liquid and vapor).
Flip R22 container upright and open the valve. Watch left and right gauges to see when pressure equalizes. Left-hand gauge should read below 60psi. Open left-hand gauge handle briefly to drop pressure.
The alterations will affect the air conditioning unit. Although they're both refrigerants, the higher efficiency of R-410A requires an upgrade to the equipment. For example, plan to replace the refrigerant tubing, the evaporator, condenser, and compressor. Other components might also need updates.
Beyond being the more Earth-friendly option, R410a also performs better than R22 refrigerant. R410a absorbs and releases more heat so that your air conditioning compressor runs cooler and more efficiently.
As R-410A is phased out, A2L refrigerants are emerging as the primary alternatives due to their lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and reduced environmental impact. Refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B are leading the charge, offering a GWP that is significantly lower than R-410A.
The cost to convert a central air conditioner from R-22 to R-410A can range anywhere from $2,000 to over $4,500 in the New Jersey area. The bottom line? If your AC unit is 8+ years old, it's usually not worth the cost to convert and you should just replace the entire R-22 unit with an R-410A unit.
The replacements for R-410A are the two A2Ls, Forane® R-32 and R-454B.
Tube-side materials in R-410A coils need to be thicker due to the higher operating pressures associated with R-410A relative to R-22. We're not arguing that there's not a difference in operating pressure between the two. There is – roughly 130 PSI for R-410A evaporators compared to about 70 for R-22.
R-410A must be charged as a liquid. Refer to the instructions printed on your refrigerant cylinder to verify that the cylinder is oriented properly for charging. Charging as a gas may result in refrigerant separation and improper unit operation. System must be charged slowly.
Suction pressure of an Air-Conditioner with R410A Refrigerants typically ranges between 115 Psig to 125 Psig when operated at an ambient temperature of 35 degC. The discharge pressure at this operating conditions hovers around 400 Psig. R-410A operates at pressures 50 to 70% higher than those of R-22.
Disposable suction traps should be changed weekly or more often if they become clogged. Before cleaning or changing the trap, it is best to run some evacuation cleaner down the line, followed by water.
If you're going to convert from R22 to R410A refrigerant, the best thing to do would be to flush the lines you have, and put in units, an air handler and condenser that is meant to use R410A. R410A and R-22 are just so different that doing stuff like you want to do won't really work.
R-410 refrigerant costs $60 per pound on average, but can range from $40 to $75. Keep in mind you cannot purchase R-410A refrigerant without an HVAC pro. As of mid-2024, R-410A refrigerant prices range from $40 to $75 per pound.
Dizziness and Drowsiness. The heavy vapors of R-410A can make you unsteady on your feet if you continue inhaling the refrigerant-infused air. You might feel like you're about to faint or even pass out in some instances.
As of January 1, 2020, production and import of R22 refrigerant will be illegal in the United States. Of course, continued use of your air conditioner (AC) or heat pump system using R22 refrigerant is allowed.
When retrofitting an HVAC system, drain all existing refrigerant from the system before adding a new refrigerant. Never mix refrigerants, or "top off" a system running on R-22 with a 400-Series blend.
Starting in 2010, all new ACs used only R410A. Manufacturers still produced R22, but only for recharging existing equipment. They also began reducing production. Over the next decade, manufacturers produced less and less Freon each year.