When it comes to replacing your air conditioning unit, it's important to choose the right type of refrigerant. The most popular option today is R-410A, a type of HFC refrigerant that is widely used in newer air conditioning units and replaces older HCFC refrigerants. This refrigerant is a mixture of two other HFC refrigerants, R-125 and R-32, and offers better cooling properties than older HCFC refrigerants when subjected to higher pressures. If your air conditioner is cooled with R22 or freon, you may be able to recondition the unit to use one of the safer R-410A products. However, R22 cannot simply be exchanged for an R-410A product.
The modernization depends on the limitations of existing AC coils. Freon is a dangerous gas that can cause irreversible damage to your air conditioner or to yourself if it's not properly installed. Daikin, another manufacturer of air conditioning equipment, has championed the R-32 refrigerant as another low-GWP alternative, which is currently in use. Additionally, other low-GWP alternatives such as R-466A are being developed that can meet new environmental standards. If you're not comfortable working with a chemical with these potential risks, there's still time to hire an HVAC technician who is experienced and knows the risks. An HVAC professional can probably still find freon for your older air conditioning unit, but new units use other types of refrigerants. Avoiding a refrigerant leak is very important if the air conditioner uses R22, as it will increase the cost of the repair so much that it won't be worth it.
Two common signs that you may have a refrigerant leak are: the air conditioner expels hot air when it is at a cold temperature or the buildup of ice on the coils. Regardless of the chemical your system uses, replacing your own air conditioning refrigerant can be dangerous and harmful to the environment. Nowadays, R22 is very expensive, so it is almost always necessary to replace the air conditioner if you use freon and it has a leak or needs a major repair. From a service point of view, working with the newest and most environmentally friendly refrigerants poses a number of challenges. In colder temperatures, this can cause the refrigerant to escape to the outside air instead of staying inside the air conditioner. Read the manufacturer's information about the product or complete the necessary research online to determine if freon is the right refrigerant for your air conditioner. When replacing your AC unit, make sure you choose the right type of refrigerant for your system.
The most popular option today is R-410A, which offers better cooling properties than older HCFCs when subjected to higher pressures. Additionally, other low-GWP alternatives such as R-32 and R-466A are being developed that can meet new environmental standards. If you're not comfortable working with chemicals with potential risks, it's best to hire an HVAC technician who knows how to handle them safely. An air conditioner with an active refrigerant leak may have ice in the evaporator coils, make a whistle, or give off an exhaust smell.
