Refrigerant, also known as “freon," is the substance in your air conditioner's copper coils that creates the cool air you feel running through your home. There are several types of refrigerant, but the most common are R-22 and R-410A. It's important to know the difference because one has been labeled outdated and environmentally hazardous, while the other was deemed safer and more efficient to use until recently. We'll give you all the information you need to determine which type of refrigerant your system uses, and what to do if you're still using R-22 or R-410A.
Types of Refrigerant
R-22:
- This type of air conditioner refrigerant has been used for decades and is very common in many households
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that R-22 depletes the Earth's ozone later and mandated that R-22 no longer be produced or imported beyond the year 2020
R-410A:
- R-410A is a type of air conditioner refrigerant that was thought to be safer for the environment, However, it was determined that it contains high levels of hydroflourocarbons (HFCs) that deplete the ozone
- Starting in 2025, R-410A will be phased out, which means that all new HVAC systems will be required to use a different, more sustainable refrigerant
A2L Refrigerants:
- As of July 2022, the EPA now recommends A2L refrigerants as the best replacements for R-22 and R-410A becasue they provide the same cooling abilities without the high greenhouse gas and HFC emissions
- It’s important to note that existing HVAC units cannot accommodate A2L refrigerants without substantial retrofitting. Because of this, A2L refrigerants should only be used in new HVAC systems specifically made for their use.