Refrigerant Types in a Heat Pump
There are 2 different types of air condtioning refrigerant currently used in residential cooling systems. R-22, commonly referred to as Freon and 410A, a blend considered to be more environmentally friendly.
R22 also known as Freon, has been used for decades as the refrigerant of choice in central air conditioning systems. It’s dependable and efficient, however it has been linked to Ozone depletion and has therefore been banned from being manufactured after the year 2010. R22 can be reclaimed from replaced heat pump systems and then recycled and reused until the year 2020. In other words this refrigerant will be available for years to come but the price will rise as availability decreases.
- dependable and efficient
- linked to Ozone depletion
- manufacturing ends in 2010
- price will increase as supply decreases
410A, is the industry’s choice to replace R22 in central air conditioning systems. It is less reactive with the environment while having the same home cooling characteristics of R22. 410A is not interchangeable with R22 – you choose one or the other and your air cooilng equipment is designed to operate with it. When you purchase a 410A system, a new line set is included with your central air installation as well as a new evaporator coil. Our experience with 410A has been excellent. The new cooling systems have been as dependable and efficient as R22, as well as operating quieter! 410A is the refrigerant of the future.
- replaces R22 in the year 2020
- less reactive with the environment
- can not be used with R22 systems
- quiet and dependable
