Is 410A a drop-in replacement for R-22?

Author: Cicero Johnson  |  Last update: Sunday, May 18, 2025

R-22 uses simple mineral oil, non-toxic, safe, stable, etc. while R-410a uses a somewhat exotic Poly o Ester (POE) oil typically found in jet turbine engines. The refrigerant used MUST match the oil present in the system, which is one reason why you can't replace the R-22 with R410a in a system.

Is R-410A an acceptable drop in replacement for R-22?

It is not acceptable to substitute R410A, which operates at different pressure levels than that of an R22, without major changes and engineering analysis. And, safe disposal of refrigerants regulated by the EPA is mandatory.

Can you replace R-22 with R-410A?

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.

Can you use R-410A pipes for R-22?

The operational pressure of the refrigerant R410A becomes higher compared to R22. In the worst case, a lack of compressive strength may lead to piping explosion.

What is the drop-in replacement for R-22?

Freon MO99 is the gold standard for R-22 alternatives and was developed by the same scientists who engineered Freon R-22. The benefits of Freon MO99 include: Capacity — The ability of Freon MO99 to heat or cool a given space is closer to Freon R-22 than any other refrigerant on the market.

R422B Drop In Replacement for R22 Freon HVAC

What gas can replace R-22 refrigerant?

R417A refrigerant is an HFC mixture that serves as a substitute for R22. It is compatible with traditional lubricants. In most cases, the lubricant type does not need to be changed in the event of retrofitting.

What is the alternative to R-22 refrigerant?

Freon™ MO29 (R-422D) refrigerant is a low-toxicity, non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for R-22.

Can you use the same line set from R-22 to 410A?

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.

What would happen if R-410A was added to an R-22 system?

A NJ Tech Explains. The answer: No. Putting R-410A refrigerant into an AC unit that was designed to use R-22 will cause the unit to die soon after it tries to run.

How much does it cost to convert R-22 to R-410A?

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.

Can you flush R-22 to R-410A?

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.

Is R-410A being phased out?

Understanding the Current HVAC Refrigerant Guidelines

Most HVAC brands have started to swap out their older AC and heat pump units over the year, preparing for the 2025 deadline, when they will have to completely stop the production of systems with R-410A.

How much higher is the pressure of R-410A than R-22?

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.

Can you replace a R22 unit with R-410A?

The answer is an undeniable and indisputable yes. Though you may hear several opinions to the contrary, we know from experience that it will cool equally as well as the old unit. When tuned properly, it will produce at least as cold of air as the R22 counter part being replaced.

What replaced 410A drop-in?

ComStar's RS-53 (R470A) is the world's only drop-in retrofit replacement for existing R410a systems. At 909, RS-53 has a GWP that is effectively 56% lower than R410a. Additionally, RS-51 (R470B) has a GWP of 717 which is 80% lower than R404a, R507 and half of R448A and R449A.

What is the new AC refrigerant in 2024?

R-454B has a lower GWP than previous refrigerants, meaning it has a much lower climate impact. Trane is phasing in the transition to R-454B in 2024, starting with the adoption of R-454B refrigerant in its residential products, beginning with the XR15 SEER2 heat pump.

Is R-410A an acceptable drop in replacement for R-22?

R-22 uses simple mineral oil, non-toxic, safe, stable, etc. while R-410a uses a somewhat exotic Poly o Ester (POE) oil typically found in jet turbine engines. The refrigerant used MUST match the oil present in the system, which is one reason why you can't replace the R-22 with R410a in a system.

Does R-410A get as cold as R-22?

In fact, R410A can cool a room slightly faster with less energy. Efficient performance is a significant benefit of R410A. However, it works the same way as R22 in absorbing heat to provide cooling. But R410A doesn't make a room any colder than its predecessor.

What should a technician do if they discover that some R-410A was added to an R-22 system?

For example, let's say a technician is working on an R-22 system. If you discover that R-410a was added to this system, you need to recover the mixture in a separate recovery tank. u must use a separate recovery cylinder for the other refrigerant.

What is the main difference in R-410A and R-22?

Systems that use R-410A also use synthetic oil for lubrication, rather than mineral oil like in R-22 systems. The synthetic oil is more soluble, making the whole system more efficient. Therefore, R-410A works better than R-22 and has more efficient systems.

Will a Txv rated for R-22 work with R-410A?

"Hey Dan, do I need to change the TXV valve when switching the outdoor condenser from R-22 refrigerant to R410A?" Yes, you are going to have to change out the TXV. Why? Well, R410A works at a different temperature and a different pressure than R-22. If you don't change it then it's not going to boil off correctly.

Is a new lineset necessary when replacing an air conditioner?

Deciding whether to install a new refrigerant line set during an HVAC installation is kind of like getting a new range. If your existing line set meets manufacturer specifications for the new HVAC system, you can usually reuse it. But if it doesn't meet those specifications, you'll probably need a new one.

What is a drop in substitute for R-22?

R-421A is a drop-in replacement for R22 systems. With this refrigerant there is no need to change the oil.

Can I still buy R-22 refrigerant?

In 2010, the U.S. stopped the sale of newly manufactured residential air conditioning units and heat pumps that use R-22 because of its particularly harmful impact on the ozone layer when released into the air. On January 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22.

What refrigerant is replacing 410A?

The replacements for R-410A are the two A2Ls, Forane® R-32 and R-454B. Forane® R-32 can be used in new equipment designed specifically for mildly flammable refrigerants as a replacement for R-410A equipment.

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