All You Need to Know About Freon and Puron
Refrigerant might not be a new word for homeowners owning an air conditioner. They might, at some time, have called an HVAC contractor to address the problem of a refrigerant leak or low refrigerant levels in the cooling system. These chemical compounds are vital parts of an HVAC system responsible for cooling and dehumidifying the indoor air by absorbing the heat when pushed through a closed loop of coils. Freon (R-22) and Puron (R-410A) are refrigerants used in the cooling systems and are not interchangeable.
Here is all that you need to know about these two refrigerants:
Freon
Freon or R-22 refrigerant is a non-combustible, colorless gas that has been used for years in the manufacturing of applications such as car air conditioners, HVAC systems, and household refrigerators. R denotes refrigerant, and 22 refers to the number of Fluorine atoms present in the compound. Over time, after decades of prevalent use, the evidence of environmental harms caused by the R-22 refrigerants and its contribution to the depletion of the Earth's ozone layer surfaced, and countries worldwide agreed to its systematic phase-out. Now, only residential cooling units installed in and before 2010 are using the R-22 refrigerant. In July 2010, it was decided to ban Freon's use in manufacturing new air conditioners and refrigeration units, and by 2020 there will be no production or import in the country. Though, the contractors can use recycled or recovered R-22 to service the old systems. But due to restrictions on import and ban on the production, Freon is now hard to find, and the prices have increased drastically, and in a short time, it will become obsolete.
Puron
After the ban on Freon, Puron or R-140A has emerged as the EPA approved alternative refrigerant that is safer to use in residential cooling units and refrigeration systems. It was invented in 1991 but was not used for commercial purposes until 1996. It costs less than the R-22 refrigerant due to its widespread production, is also safer for the environment, and causes no harm to the ozone layer. Most new air conditioning units around the world are now using this refrigerant. It has made the cooling system more efficient with higher SEER ratings, making it profitable for the homeowners who now have to pay less for the energy bills. If your old system suffers a leak or requires a Freon refill, it is advisable to contact the HVAC contractor to replace it with a new energy-efficient Puron system. Cooling systems with Puron use the more soluble synthetic oil instead of mineral oil for lubrication, making them more efficient and improving their performance.
Puron, though, has some drawbacks like the higher upfront cost and contribution to global warming, it is still considered a wise investment. It is a much safer and economical alternative than Freon.
Contact an experienced HVAC contractor if you are looking to install a new HVAC system, get the old one repaired or services, or require more information on Freon and Puron refrigerants.
Timely AC repairs can save you from serious trouble down the road. Whether you need AC refrigerant leak repair, AC fan motor repair or replacement, AC circuit board repair or replacement, or AC condenser repair or replacement, contact Forecast Heating, Cooling, and Refrigeration today at (702) 919-4546.
