Homeowners who have used air conditioning or HVAC systems for quite some time might be familiar with the word refrigerant and the meaning behind it. But did you know that there are several types of refrigerants currently available in the market each with a different efficiency and purpose?
Refrigerants are central to the working of every air conditioning system as these are what bring the temperature of your room down. This blog delves into the main refrigerant types in detail to help you figure out the one that will work best for you.
So, let’s jump right ahead and see what are the most common AC refrigerants that you can get for your cooling system.
- What is An AC Refrigerant?
- Types of AC Refrigerants
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS)
- R-22 or Freon 22 Refrigerant
- R-32 Refrigerant
- R-410A or Puron Refrigerant
- R-454B Refrigerant
- R-134A refrigerant
- R-1234yf and R-1234ze
What is An AC Refrigerant?
The basic functioning of an air conditioner involves pulling air from the outside, extracting heat out of it, and then blowing it out again. Refrigerant is basically a substance that is responsible for cooling the air that is pulled in. The refrigerant is found in the evaporator coils of your AC unit.
Refrigerants are chemical compounds that can move from solid to liquid states and vice versa. The air enters your AC unit and passes over the evaporator coils that hold the refrigerant. In this step, the refrigerant in the coils absorbs the heat from the air, and the cool air is blown inside through the vents or the ductwork.
In the gaseous form, the refrigerant absorbs the heat and turns into a liquid. This liquid then turns to gas by dissipating the heat giving your cool air as output.
Types of AC Refrigerants
Following are a few main types of refrigerants that have been used in the AC systems over the years
1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS)
This class of refrigerants consists of R11, R115, and R12 refrigerants that are known for their low toxicity and reactivity. These refrigerants have been banned since 1995 by the EPA for their extremely harmful impacts on ozone layer.
Typically, these refrigerants have a seasonal efficiency (SEER) ratio of 12 or below. The global warming potential (GWP) of these refrigerants is between 5,000 to 85,000.
Uses
These refrigerants were used in
- ACs
- Refrigerators
- Blowing Agents
- Aerosol propellants
2. R-22 or Freon 22 Refrigerant
This refrigerant is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon where one additional hydrogen atom decreases the lifespan of CFSC in the air which makes it less destructive for the environment. AC units that are 10 years or older typically have this refrigerant.
This refrigerant was also banned in recent years for the danger it poses to our ozone layer. These refrigerants have a SEER ratio of 13 or lower. This refrigerant has a 100-year GWP of about 1810.
Uses
R22 was used mostly in
- Central air conditioners
- Heat pumps
- Mini-splits
- Car AC systems,
- Other refrigeration equipment
3. R-32 Refrigerant
This next-generation refrigerant has high efficiency with low environmental impact. This refrigerant is ideal both for residential and commercial cooling systems because of its low GWP of about 675. The SEER as well as the cooling seasonal performance factor of this refrigerant is much higher than R22 which means it uses very little energy to operate.
Uses
This refrigerant finds applications in
- Low-temperature domestic and industrial purposes
- Commercial refrigeration units
- Freezer condensing units
- Air conditioning units
- HVAC units
4. R-410A or Puron Refrigerant
This is another new refrigerant that provides an efficient cooling experience with a 0 ODP and about 2088 GWP rating making it relatively safer for the ozone layer. This non ozone-depleting refrigerant gives you better energy efficiency due to its high SEER rating of 13 to 14.
Uses
This refrigerant is used mostly in
- Air conditioning systems
- Heat pumps
- Refrigeration units
5. R-454B Refrigerant
This latest refrigerant type is extremely eco-friendly. Most modern commercial chillers as well as heat pumps operate on this specific refrigerant. This refrigerant gives you a very low GWP rating of about 466 with enhanced energy efficiency. This particular refrigerant is extremely non-toxic which further makes it safer for the planet.
Uses
Here are a few common uses of this refrigerant
- Room and Precision Air Conditioning
- Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems
- Residential/Light Commercial AC/Heat Pumps
- Chillers
6. R-134A refrigerant
This refrigerant is known for its low toxicity, non-combustibility, and superior thermal stability. This refrigerant is mainly used in the automotive industry. It is also used in some other commercial settings where high efficiency and low GWP are paramount.
Its GWP value is about 1,430 which makes it superior to R22 and CFCS refrigerants.
Uses
Its uses include
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Automotive air conditioners
- Central air conditioners
- Dehumidifiers,
- Ice cream machines
7. R-1234yf and R-1234ze
Also known as Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), these refrigerants are known for their ultra-low GWP and high energy efficiency. These refrigerants are dominantly used in cars but they are also becoming popular in domestic applications.
Uses
These are used in
- Multiple heating
- Ventilation
- Air-conditioning
- Car AC systems
- Water chillers
Tips for Choosing the Right AC Refrigerant
Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when looking at your AC maintenance plans to choose the right refrigerant
- Consider the type and model of your system. Using a refrigerant that is incompatible can lead to AC system damage or lower efficiency.
- Pick refrigerants with the lowest GWP to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Make sure to stay in touch with the latest national and international regulations to know which refrigerant is allowed.
- Use refrigerants that give you much better energy efficiency as well as cost savings in the long run.
Conclusion
Choosing the right kind of AC refrigerant not only enhances the performance of your air conditioning system but also ensures you make environmentally responsible choices every single time when making this purchase.
There are different refrigerant types in the market at the moment and you need to pick one with the lowest GWP and high energy efficiency. This can ensure your AC system poses minimum risks to the ozone layer and our plant in general.
Visit GlobalEX today to get the best AC maintenance services to make sure you get the best performance out of your refrigerants along with better energy efficiency.