Your cooling system requires refrigerant to maintain comfortable temperatures indoors during the heat of summer in Clearwater, Florida. Understanding the various types of refrigerant and how they work can allow you to make the most appropriate choices when upgrading your current HVAC system or repairing your existing air conditioning unit. Working with the professionals at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating in Clearwater can allow you to choose the most cost-effective and appropriate solutions for your needs now and in the future.
Types of Refrigerant for Home HVAC Systems
When recharging your refrigerant for your home cooling system, you should use the correct type for your specific system. Several different types of refrigerant have been used in residential cooling systems. Freon, R-410A, and R-454B are the best known and most popular options used in the past and currently.
- R-22, better known as Freon, was used for years as the standard refrigerant in home air conditioning units and in car AC systems. The use of Freon was gradually phased out because of its damaging effects to the ozone layer. Freon contains chlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons, both of which have been shown to deplete ozone in the upper atmosphere and to contribute to climate change. Starting in 2010, new HVAC systems were required to use other refrigerants. A ban on the production and importation of Freon was put in place in 2020. Some supplies of this refrigerant, however, may still be available for homeowners who have systems that were manufactured prior to 2010. Because of limited supplies of Freon, however, prices can be much higher than for other types of refrigerant.
- R-410A refrigerant became popular when Freon was phased out and eventually banned. This mixture of difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane is sold under a number of trademarked product names. It is currently being phased out because the use of R-410A has been shown to contribute to climate change and global warming. No new R-410A HVAC systems will be manufactured after December 31, 2024. Starting on January 1, 2025, however, HVAC technicians can still sell and install their existing stock of R-410A systems. Most industry experts believe that supplies of R-410A refrigerant will still be available well into the future to ensure that homeowners are not required to upgrade relatively new systems right away.
- R-32 is also known as difluoromethane and is a compound that can be used as a refrigerant in home HVAC systems. It is often used to extinguish fires and is excluded from the list of Volatile Organic Compounds because R-32 has been shown to produce minimal issues with tropospheric ozone. The use of R-32 as a refrigerant in home HVAC systems is not widespread. However, some manufacturers have systems that operate using this modern refrigerant.
- R-454B consists of a combination of difluoromethane (R-32) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. It is sold under several different names and is designed to be an environmentally friendly replacement for R-410A. R-454B is only mildly flammable and is nontoxic, which makes it a solid choice for green-friendly cooling in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding communities.
Refrigerants Are Not Interchangeable
Residential HVAC systems are designed to use a specific type of refrigerant. If your system uses Freon as a refrigerant, for instance, you cannot substitute any of the other types of refrigerant. Each type of refrigerant operates at a different pressure level. Additionally, cooling efficiencies and flammability vary significantly between types of refrigerant. Using the wrong refrigerant in your system can reduce its efficiency or cause serious damage to your HVAC equipment. In extreme cases, fires can result from the use of the wrong refrigerant.
What Are the Differences Between Available Refrigerants?
Freon is no longer commercially available for reasonable prices in the United States. This is perhaps the primary difference between Freon and the other refrigerants that are still available for use in residential and commercial HVAC systems. Some of the other differences between Freon, R-410A, and R-454B are listed here:
- R-454B is less harmful to the environment than either Freon or R-410A. It is more efficient than Freon or R-410A and only slightly less efficient than R-32. If you are in the market for a new system, you will typically see improved performance and better energy efficiency from both R-32 and R-454B systems than from comparable Freon or R-410A HVAC equipment.
- Since Freon has already been phased out and R-410A refrigerants are being phased out currently, upgrading to a new R-32 or R-454B refrigerant system will allow you to maintain a working system and to recharge your HVAC refrigerant more easily in the future.
- Freon is not flammable. However, R-32, R-410A, and R-454B refrigerants are all flammable in varying degrees.
- R-454B and R-32 refrigerants are expected to cost somewhat more than comparable R-410A refrigerants, at least for the foreseeable future. Freon, however, is not readily available and is far more expensive to purchase than any of the newer refrigerant types.
Which Refrigerant Is the Right Choice for My Clearwater Home?
If you are in the market for a new HVAC system, you may find selecting a refrigerant type to be challenging. Working with a trusted local HVAC company can often provide you with added insights into the advantages and drawbacks of each type of refrigerant and each system you are considering. This can allow you to make the most cost-effective choice for your family while ensuring that your new HVAC equipment is environmentally friendly and provides real indoor comfort for you and the ones you love.
The friendly and experienced technicians at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating in Clearwater can deliver the right solutions for recharging your current HVAC system or installing a brand-new system for you and your family. We deliver professional services on schedules that work for you. With just one call to our team, you can enjoy prompt and reliable services designed to help you stay cool and comfortable all summer long. Let us know how we can serve you.