One drawback to note, though, is R-407C's glide of 10°F. Because R-407C is a
The commonly used synthetic refrigerants such as R134a, R407C and R410A have a GWP value higher than 2,500. As a result, their production is being phased out.
Heating mode The compressor pressure ratio of R-407C was 0.7% to 9.3% higher than R-22 for the two heating mode test conditions.
POE lubricant is recommended for use with Freon™ 407C. In order to achieve equivalent miscibility to R-22/oil, the residual oil should be about 5 wt% or less of the total lubricant used in the system. In larger systems, this amount of residual mineral oil can be achieved by using a flushing technique.
Non-flammable material. Overexposure may cause dizziness and loss of concentration. At higher levels, CNS depression and cardiac arrhythmia may result from exposure. Vapors displace air and can cause asphyxiation in confined spaces.
Notice that R-11 has the highest ODP of 1. R-11 is the most destructive refrigerant and we compare all other refrigerants against it. Note also that R-11 is a CFC, which we have already discussed is the most destructive refrigerant to ozone.
Mixing R22 with R407C
According to the 609 EPA rule, mixing refrigerants is illegal and anybody caught doing so will be heavily fined. Although you may this restriction is primarily political we would like to give you a basic education to explain the two most devastating effects of such action: To the environment.
Freon™ 407C exhibits similar performance to HCFC-22, while Freon™ 410A gives significantly higher pressure and refrigeration capacity.
R-407C is a zeotropic HFC refrigerant blend rated A1 by ASHRAE (lowest levels of toxicity and flammability), having zero ozone depletion potential. POE lubricants must be used with R-407C since its components are not miscible with the mineral oil or alkylbenzene lubricants found in most R-22 systems.
So while R134A is better suited for a hot water system, it has a much lower kW output capacity when compared to R407C. This significance of this is for the same capacity ratting you need a far larger heat pump to achieve the same amount of work.
Recovery of R-22 requires a cylinder with a service pressure of 260 psig minimum. Recovery of R-407C requires a cylinder with a service pressure of 300 psig minimum. National Refrigerants, Inc.
Freon™ 407C can be topped off after a leak, multiple times, with minimal impact on system performance.
The best replacement for R-22 Freon is usually R-407c. It has a very low loss in capacity (0 – 5%) relative to R-22 and is less expensive than many other R-22 replacement refrigerants. If a system has R22 in it already you cannot use a replacement refrigerant to simply add to the R22.
A number of common refrigerants, including R134a, R410A and R407C, will be banned from use in new chillers in the USA from January 1, 2024.
Introducing R-454B
R-454B is the new refrigerant in 2024. By 2025, the EPA's required phaseout of R-410A will be in full effect, with production, importation, and distribution no longer allowed. HVACR businesses must be evaluating their current choices in coolant and ready to make the jump.
Opteon™ XP20 (R-449C) refrigerant is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) option that replaces R-22 and R-407C in residential and commercial air conditioners, as well as direct expansion chillers. It has similar performance and properties to R-22 and R-407C and can be used in both retrofit and new equipment.
The lubricant that is currently used with R-22 is either Mineral Oil (MO) or Alkylbenzene (AB). The retrofit procedure to R-407C, recommended by manufacturers, requires a lubricant change to Polyol Ester (POE) since the solubility and miscibility of R-407C in either MO or AB are much lower than in POE.
At the very least, leaks will occur. Mixing refrigerants is not an option either. This will contaminate the system, and the R22 will not evaporate under the higher suction pressure that R410A requires.
PAG oils are harsher than mineral oils, and may cause skin irritation and damage O-rings and seals. There are different viscosities of PAG oil being used by OEMs: PAG 46, which is the most popular; PAG 100, which is also common; and PAG 150, which is more rarely used.
One disadvantage of R407C is that it is a zeotropic blend with moderate glide. R407C is made up from 3 different components— 23% R32, 25% R125 & 52% R134a. The R32 assists with heat capacity, R125 to reduce the flammability of the R32 and R134a to reduce overall pressure.
Complying with Section 608 Refrigerant Handling Rule
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires certification for anyone handling R-22, MO99, R-407C, R-134A, or R-410a refrigerants.
R-134a refrigerant, also known as Tetrafluoroethane, is a popular choice for commercial refrigeration systems due to its low toxicity and non-flammability. It is commonly used in medium- and high-temperature applications, such as refrigerators, air conditioning units, and chillers.
R404A, R134a, R407C and R410A cannot be used in the USA since Jan. 1st, 2021. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced two new regulations that, while banning the use of some existing refrigerants, have tightened regulations on leakage rate limits, thereby reducing HFC emissions.
Average R407C prices range between $5 and $7 per pound. R407C is a blend of three components: R32, R125, and R134A. It is well-adapted for air conditioning applications and medium-temperature range chiller equipment.