Air Conditioner Coolant Types

They create the cold air through direct expansion coils or chilled water coils as the warmer air is blown across them.

Air conditioner coolant types.

This chemical is an hfc hydrofluorocarbon but has been shown not to harm the ozone and since 2015 has become the standard for residential air conditioning. However if you have an older system you can check your unit to find out what type of coolant is uses. Due to the 1987 montreal protocol cooling agents known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons hcfcs are being phased out in favor of newer types called hydrofluorocarbons hfcs. I have an older air conditioner that uses r 22.

The widely accepted alternative refrigerant is popular in packaged air conditioners and ductless split systems and water chillers as well as in light air conditioning and direct expansion systems found in residential commercial and industrial properties. R 407c also works in medium temperature refrigeration systems. The good news is that new air conditioning systems made since 2010 no longer rely on freon. Home air conditioners work by removing the heated air and humidity in the room and replacing it with colder air you can think of a home air conditioner as a type of refrigerator.

This coolant is a hydro chlorofluorocarbon hcfc a type of coolant that is no longer used because it causes ozone depletion. Most newer ac units use a refrigerant called r410a or puron. Hcfcs contain chlorine and each molecule is much more destructive to ozone than those of hfcs. Until a few years ago many air conditioners sold in the united states used the refrigerant chlorodifluoromethane usually referred to r 22 r 22 is one of a number of gases marketed under the brand name freon and has been commonly used as a coolant in air conditioners heat pumps and other appliances.

Use of this coolant is prohibited in all hvac units after 2015. For example if you are looking to purchase and use freon for air conditioning purposes investing in a type of freon such as r 410a which is safer and thus potentially has a longer shelf life than other increasingly phased out variants of r 22 is a better long term bet both for yourself and the environment. Most air conditioners use one of two types of refrigerant. Types of air conditioners once you ve decided to purchase an air conditioner your choices will include everything from window units to central air conditioning portable air conditioners through the wall air conditioners ductless split systems package terminal air conditioners swamp coolers and even geothermal cooling systems.

I ve never paid any attention to this detail while inspecting houses because it didn t make much difference but that s.