And to bring you up to speed on these gasses as they've changed over the last few decades — only a generation ago, the refrigerant R-12 was commonly used to cool houses before R-22 took its place. Then, R-22 was replaced by the new R-410a as recent as 2010.
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.
Since 2010, the most common R-22 replacement was R-410A, a refrigerant without the ozone-depleting qualities of R-22. Read this article on the refrigerant transition for a more thorough explanation of the reasoning and science behind the change.
In the 20th Century, fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were commonly used as refrigerants. These older refrigerants have been largely phased out in more recent years, however, because of their harmful effects on the ozone layer and contribution to global warming.
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.
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.
New Regulations Effective from 2025
Monosplit systems with a refrigerant charge of less than 3 kg will no longer be allowed to use refrigerants with a GWP value above 750. This includes refrigerants like R410A and R407C, which will no longer be permitted in such systems.
And to bring you up to speed on these gasses as they've changed over the last few decades — only a generation ago, the refrigerant R-12 was commonly used to cool houses before R-22 took its place. Then, R-22 was replaced by the new R-410a as recent as 2010.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned R22 freon in the country. Why? R22 contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer – which absorbs the ultraviolet radiation from the sun and protects us from its harmful effects – and the ecosystem in general.
In January 2010, the EPA issued a mandate that R-22 refrigerant be phased out except to accommodate existing equipment.
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.
No, the compressor will fail. These two refrigerants have very different properties. One of R22 and R134a is high pressure and the other is low pressure. They don't mix chemically and don't have the same boiling point, leading to inefficiencies and eventual compressor failure.
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.
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.
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.
The impending phaseout of R-410A, a widely used refrigerant in HVAC systems, marks a huge shift for homeowners and the HVAC industry. Set to take effect on December 31, 2024, this change is driven by global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with environmental regulations.
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.
For many years, R-22 has been the most widely-used refrigerant; however, it's an ozone-depleting substance. Due to the negative effects of R-22 on the environment, U.S. consumers and retailers are no longer allowed to produce, import or sell R-22 refrigerant after it was banned about two years ago.
R-22 refrigerant prices range from $90 to $250 per pound. Since you'll need between 6 and 12 pounds to refill a home AC, costs can reach between $660 and $2,400 for a refill of R-22 refrigerant.
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.
Goodman became the world's first company to succeed in applying R-32 to air conditioners by leveraging its expertise as the only manufacturer that develops and manufactures both air conditioners and refrigerants. Currently, R-410A is the refrigerant most commonly used in developed countries.
Environmental effects
R-410A is a mixture of 50% HFC-32 and 50% HFC-125. HFC-32 has a 4.9 year lifetime and a 100-year GWP of 675 and HFC-125 has a 29-year lifetime and a 100-year GWP of 3500.
If your system is running on R22 most likely is using mineral oil to lubricate the compressor. If you mix R407C with R22 inside your system the molecule of the HFC (R407C) gas will not link with the oil and in just few months of operation you will have a "sludge" like lubricant formation inside the circuit.
HFC-134a: a Potent Greenhouse Gas
Potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is 1,430 times that of CO2.
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.