What is the difference between R-22 and R134a?

Author: Una Hand  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 15, 2025

R134a and R22 The capacity of R134a is smaller than that of R22, and the pressure is lower than that of R22. Due to these features, an R134a air conditioner with the same capacity must be equipped with a larger compressor with a larger evaporator, condenser, and piping.

Can I use R134a instead of R22?

Alternatives for R22-which has been extensively used as residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than five decades are R134a, R404a, R407c, R410a,b, R508, etc.

Can you top off R22 with R134a?

No, you should not mix R22 with R134A refrigerant. Here are some key points to consider: Chemical Compatibility: R22 (chlorodifluoromethane) and R134A (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) have different chemical properties and are not compatible. Mixing them can lead to unpredictable behavior in the refrigeration system.

Is it illegal to recharge AC with R22?

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.

What Freon can I mix with R22?

Rs44b can be mixed with r22.

Selecting Refrigerants R12 R22 R134a R410a

What refrigerant can I substitute for R22?

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.

What freon is compatible with 134a?

There are three refrigerants that can be used to replace R-134a: R-1234yf, R-152a, and R-744. More on these replacements later.

When was R22 banned?

R-22 is a refrigerant that is often used in air- conditioning equipment. Because R-22 depletes the ozone layer, production and import was further limited in 2010. In 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced or imported. After 2020, only recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies of R-22 will be available.

What happens if you mix R22 with another refrigerant?

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.

What is the drop in replacement for R22?

RS-44 is a “Drop-in” replacement for R22 providing an easy and at the same time a long term solution. Because there is no need to use expensive and hygroscopic synthetic lubricants, the risk of moisture ingress into a refrigeration system is completely avoided.

Can I recharge R22 myself?

As of Jan 1 2020, R22 refrigerant has been completely phased out worldwide due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. It is no longer being produced. If you're interested in learning how to refill R22 in your air conditioner, it is important to know that this is not something a homeowner can do on their own.

What is the pressure difference between R22 and R134a?

The pressure drop of R134a is 60–90% and 110–130% higher than that of R22 and R410A, respectively. In comparison with R410A, R22 is approximately 25–47% higher. These trends are the same results of Cavallini et al.

Can you use R134a in a home AC system?

R134 was specifically designed to replace R12 used in smaller air conditioning units, such as those used in vehicles. R134 is also used in home appliances, mobile refrigeration units and stationary commercial units, such as cold cases in grocery stores.

What refrigerant is currently slated to replace R134a?

According to its manufacturer, Chemours, use of R-1234yf has grown so much since the refrigerant replaced the long-established R-134a that it's now used in 95% of new cars sold in the U.S. An estimated 220 million cars on global roads are also using it.

What happens if you mix R22 with MO99?

What happens if R-22 gets mixed into an installation of Freon™ MO99 that is not properly labeled? Mixing refrigerants is never recommended. However, based on the similar operating conditions of Freon™ MO99 and R-22, system damange would not be expected.

What is a better refrigerant than R134a?

R1234yf, or HFO-1234yf, was introduced in response to environmental concerns over the continued use of HFC-134a. This newer refrigerant is a hydrofluoro olefin (HFO). It has a much lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFC-134a.

Will 134a work with R-22?

Experimental results show that the mixture ratio affects the COP significantly, and the COP could be improved by using pure R134a or an appropriate mixture of R134a/R22 instead of pure R22. The maximum COP occurred at a mixture ratio of around 50/50% R134a/R22.

What is the best replacement refrigerant for R-22?

Freon™ MO99 refrigerant is a relatively affordable and eco-friendly alternative for R22 air conditioners. You can use it to revive older systems with little to no refrigerant charge, as well as systems that need replacement components.

Can anyone buy 134a?

Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians certified under the Section 608 or Section 609 technician certification programs, where individuals may only purchase refrigerant consistent with the appliances covered by their certification.

What is the new refrigerant for 2025?

What refrigerant will replace R-410A in 2025? For whole-home systems, Lennox has chosen 2025 Compliant Refrigerant R-454B due to its excellent performance for ducted systems and zero ozone depletion potential. For mini-splits, we selected R-32, designed to optimize efficiency and reliability in ductless systems.

How much is a bottle of R-22?

R-22 refrigerant costs $125 per pound on average, but can range from $50 to $250 per pound. Keep in mind you cannot purchase R-22 refrigerant without an HVAC pro.

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.

Why is R134a being phased out?

Why Is R-134A Being Phased Out? When Is the Phaseout Expected to Conclude? Like a lot of '90s relics, R-134A has not aged well. It was known then that 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane could potentially contribute to acid rain and that its ozone layer depletion potential was high.

What type of oil is used in R22 refrigerant?

Refrigerant R-22 has been successfully used with mineral oil in residential air-conditioning and heat pump systems (AC/HP). R-407C and R-41 OA are two chlorine free HFC refrigerant candidates to replace R-22.

Is it illegal to put 134a in a 1234yf system?

Still, the answer is an emphatic, “No.” Not only would a retrofit of this type negate the environmental benefits of R-1234yf, but it would also be a violation of Federal Law under Section 203 of the Clean Air Act: “tampering” with a vehicle's emissions control device.

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