If you have a central air conditioner, it’s important to be familiar with refrigerant. The refrigerant in your system is utilized to cool the temperature of the air in your house. As a result of changes in federal regulations, the type of refrigerant used in your air conditioner has changed from R-22 to R-410A.
The recent change to this new type of refrigerant can impact a number of factors from coast of maintenance to energy-efficiency. To help you keep your home cool throughout the summer season, we have created an outline to discuss the differences between R-22 vs R-410A refrigerants.
R-22 Refrigerant
- Usually referred to by the brand name Freon
- R-22 was outlawed for use in new units as of 2010
- R-22 is a hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) which contributes to the depletion of the ozone
R-410A Refrigerant
- Usually referred to by the brand name Puron
- Is approved for use in new residential air conditioning units
- R-410A is a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) which does not harm the ozone
- R-410A refrigerant was made the new standard for air conditioner systems in the United States in 2015
Read More: How to Fix Bent Air Conditioner Fins
Does R-410A Refrigerant Cool Better than R-22?
Newer air conditioners are built to be used with R-410A for more efficient operation. It can absorb and release more heat than R-22, meaning your compressor can run cooler, reducing the compressors chances of overheating and burning out.
R-410A also works at a higher pressure than the R-22. The new compressors are designed to withstand greater stress, reducing the chance of cracking. Also, compressors need oil to keep them lubricated during operation. Units using R-22 use mineral oil, while units using R-410A use synthetic oil.
The synthetic oil is more soluble with the R-410A than the R-22 is with the mineral oil, which means the R-410A is operating more efficiently, reducing the wear and tear on the compressor.
Is It Possible to Add R-410A Refrigerant to an Old HVAC system?
It is not possible to switch and outdated air conditioner to the new R-410A refrigerant. This new category of refrigerant requires a higher pressure level to be distributed throughout your system. So, a compressor in a R-22 system is not strong enough to process R-410A refrigerant.
Do not attempt to put R-410A refrigerant in an old central air conditioner. This can cause damage to the compressor along with other operational issues. The only way to change to R-410A refrigerant is to invest in a new central air conditioner that is engineered to utilize this category of refrigerant.
Professional Air Conditioning Installation and Replacement Services
If you having issues with your HVAC system and want to switch from R-22 to R-410A refrigerant, contact our team of professionals at (262) 299-6197 to receive support.
Our technicians offer extensive air conditioning installation services in Waukesha, Milwaukee, and other areas in Southeast Wisconsin. Our team also has the tools necessary to help you repair an old air conditioner on your property.
Our team has been in the heating and cooling field since 1929. This time has allowed us to collect feedback from customers to continuously improve our HVAC services. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, thousands of happy homeowners, and 5-star reviews, choosing to work with our team is the smartest decision you can make.
