What refrigerant can be used as a direct service drop in?

Author: Lance Wintheiser PhD  |  Last update: Friday, April 11, 2025

A refrigerant that can be used as a direct service "drop-in" substitute for R-22 in a small appliance is R-407C. R-407C is a blend of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that has similar thermodynamic properties to R-22, making it suitable for use as a refrigerant in systems designed for R-22.

Which can be considered as a drop-in replacement refrigerant?

Examples of Drop-In Refrigerants:

R437A and R438A: Replacements for R22 in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. R449A or R448A: Alternatives to R404A, with significantly lower GWP. R513A: A replacement for R134a with low global warming potential (GWP)

What can be used as a drop-in for R-22?

Freon MO99 is the closest capacity match to R-22, compared with most other no-oil change refrigerants.

Which refrigerant cannot be used as a drop-in replacement for HCFC-22?

HFCs like R-134a are considered to be more environmentally friendly because they do not deplete the ozone layer, although they are still potent greenhouse gases. R-410A, another common refrigerant, is not typically a direct drop-in substitute for R-22 due to different operational pressures.

What characteristic must a refrigerant have if it is used as a drop-in replacement for another refrigerant?

Explanation: A refrigerant that is used as a drop-in replacement for another refrigerant must have similar operating pressures and temperatures to ensure compatibility with the existing system.

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What refrigerant can be used as a direct service drop in substitute for R-22?

Explanation: A refrigerant that can be used as a direct service "drop-in" substitute for R-22 in a small appliance is R-407C. R-407C is a blend of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that has similar thermodynamic properties to R-22, making it suitable for use as a refrigerant in systems designed for R-22.

Does R-22 have a drop in substitute?

The information below will try to dispel some of these myths. Arkema recommends using Forane® 427A (R427A) - The EASY RETROFIT™ for your r-22 retrofit solution. When it comes to drop-ins, the truth is that there are none. The hope of “drop-in” refrigerants has become common over the years.

Is 410A a 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.

Which of the following is an approved drop in service replacement for R-22?

Final answer: Of the provided options, R-407C is the approved 'drop-in' replacement for R-22, commonly used in air conditioning systems. However, despite this 'drop-in' status, it may still require some changes to be implemented in the system.

Can I use 134a instead of 410A?

An environmentally more benign refrigerant for replacing refrigerant R410A includes a majority portion of refrigerant R32 and a minority portion of refrigerant R134a, the volumetric capacity of the replacement refrigerant permitting it to be used as a near or exact drop-in replacement for refrigerant R410A in terms of ...

What refrigerant can I substitute for R-22?

Freon™ MO29 refrigerant: Extends system life using the same equipment as R-22, so a system with an R-22 leak does not need to be completely replaced or upgraded. Offers similar capacity and efficiency as R-22.

Can you put 407C in a R-22 unit?

Using these retrofit guidelines, many R-22 systems can be retrofitted for use with Freon™ 407C in air conditioning, heat pump applications, and refrigeration applications to allow existing equipment to continue to operate safely and efficiently, even after R-22 is no longer available.

Is MO99 a direct replacement for R-22?

Yes. The mass flow rate and operating pressures of Freon™ MO99 are the closest of all the mineral oil compatible replacement products and will likely perform adequately in an existing R-22 system with a capillary tube expansion device.

Which refrigerant is a direct drop in replacement for R-12?

R-134a is a common direct drop-in replacement for R-12 (dichlorodifluoromethane) in retrofitting mobile air conditioning systems. R-12 was phased out due to its detrimental effects on the ozone layer, and R-134a became a popular alternative refrigerant for automotive air conditioning systems.

Is the only EPA Snap approved drop-in replacement for R-22?

Such conversions, called "retrofits," are allowed if the alternative has been found acceptable under EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program for that type of use. There are no “drop in” replacements for HCFC-22. Alternative refrigerants will not work well without making changes to system components.

Is R-32 a drop in refrigerant?

No. R32 is not suitable as a drop-in replacement for R410A and must only be used in systems specifically designed for R32.

What is 407C refrigerant used for?

Freon™ 407C refrigerant performs similarly to HCFC-22 under evaporator temperatures ranging from –7 to 10 °C (20 to 50 °F). It is designed for use in new equipment and as a service refrigerant for existing HCFC-22 air conditioning, heat pump, and medium temperature refrigeration equipment.

Is R438A a drop-in replacement for R-22?

Among those products is Freon™ MO99™ (R-438A), a retrofit refrigerant for R-22 that does not require an oil change. Freon™ MO99™ works with: Residential and commercial air conditioning systems (rooftop and indoor packages units, direct expansion chillers, split systems)

What is R-22 also known as?

R-22 (also known as HCFC-22) is an ozone-depleting refrigerant which has been widely used in home air conditioning systems and its supply is now being phased out in response to the Montreal Protocol.

What happens if you put R-410A in a R-22 system?

The pressure can become high enough for parts of the system to rupture. At the very least, leaks will occur.

What refrigerant can be used as a direct service drop-in substitute for R-22?

A refrigerant that can be used as a direct service "drop-in" substitute for R-22 in a small appliance is: R-410A.

Is R458A a drop-in replacement for R-22?

It is concluded that R458A performs well as a drop-in alternative refrigerant to R22 and surpasses that of R453A, as it showed slightly less deviation in coefficient of performance.

When did R-22 get banned?

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.

Can you use 407C in place of R-22?

Features and Benefits. Freon™ 407C has been a popular R-22 replacement because of its properties, which include: Similar cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and pressures as R-22 in systems. An ability to be topped off after a leak, multiple times, with minimal impact on system performance.

Is 427A a replacement for R-22?

* Forane® 427A is intended as a retrofit in systems originally designed for R-22. Therefore, how the system was running on R-22 will be a guide or target for how the system should run on R-427A. Compared to R-22, expect 0-5 psi lower on the suction side and 0-10 psi higher on the discharge.

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