HFC = HydroFluoroCarbons The hydrofluorocarbons are refrigerants that contain no chlorine and are not harmful to the ozone layer (ODP = 0, see section 5.3).
HFCs and HFOs are non ozone depleting since they do not have chlorine atoms. They both have an ODP of 0. But CFCs and HCFCs, contain chlorine atoms. So they are the most ozone depleting.
R-410A is a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) which does not contribute to ozone depletion. R-410A can also absorb and release more heat than R-22.
Ammonia is safe for the environment, with an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) rating of 0 and a Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating of 0. Ammonia is substantially less expensive than CFCs or HCFCs.
R134a as a hydrofluorocarbon is chlorine free and therefore does not deplete the ozone layer. It is however harmful to the environment because it contributes to the greenhouse effect.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has since added R-134A to its list of greenhouse gases, declaring definitively that this refrigerant is a poor choice for the future of the planet and its inhabitants.
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.
Ozone depleting substances include: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) hydrobromoflurocarbons (HBFCs)
Are refrigerants available for home air conditioners that do not harm the ozone layer? Yes, a number of ozone-friendly refrigerants are available and widely used today. The most common alternative in new AC systems is R-410A, which is known by trade names such as GENETRON AZ-20®, SUVA 410A®, Forane® 410A, and Puron®.
Ozone Hole Continues Healing in 2024. A hole that opens annually in the ozone layer over Earth's southern pole was relatively small in 2024 compared to other years. Scientists with NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) project the ozone layer could fully recover by 2066.
R-32 is the most balanced refrigerant in terms of Environmental Impact/Energy Efficiency/Safety/Cost-Effectiveness for Stationary Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps.
During the first decade of the HCFC phaseout, R-22 production, import, and usage were limited to the service of existing appliances. In 2020, the phaseout strengthened, with usage limited to recycled and stockpiled compounds. The last stage of the phaseout will draw to a close on January 1, 2030.
Did you know that many gases in air conditioners and refrigeration systems can be extremely harmful to the environment if released? Many old refrigerants damage the ozone layer. Other refrigerants are potent greenhouse gases. They can contribute to climate change and impact human health.
R-134a is an HFC refrigerant and cannot be vented under the Venting Prohibition because it is a non-exempt substitute of CFCs and HCFCs. Question #8 Nitrogen can be used to pressurize or blow debris out of a system containing a half charge of refrigerant.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogenated ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are mainly responsible for man-made chemical ozone depletion.
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.
Why R-410A Is Being Phased Out. Because R-410A operates at such high pressures, there is an increased risk of an environmentally harmful refrigerant leak during maintenance and repair work. The R-410A phase-out means new HVAC systems will use more sustainable refrigerants.
R-410A PHASE-DOWN TIMELINE
In 2024, we will jump to a 40% decrease in production. We will reach a 70% decrease by 2029. In 2034, we will see 80% less R-410A being produced than it is today, and the phase-down will end in 2036 with another 5% reduction.
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.
When it comes to the ozone hole, chlorine is the enemy. The chlorine comes from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs, for short), which were widely used in early refrigeration and cooling systems.
But the ozone layer is not immune to harmful human activities. A collection of human-made greenhouse gases known as ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), including chlorofluorocarbons that can be found in everyday products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans, have been destroying the ozone layer.
The type of refrigerant that is most harmful to stratospheric ozone is A. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). CFCs are synthetic compounds that contain chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. They were extensively used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and as propellants in aerosol products.
On January 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22. But units manufactured in 2009 and earlier still use R-22 today. Its use will eventually be eliminated in the U.S., so all current and future homeowners must be prepared for the transition.
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.