The refrigerant in your AC system absorbs heat from the air and turns it into cooler air with help from other components, such as evaporator coils and compressors. The type of refrigerant you use can have an impact on how environmentally friendly your Broken Arrow home’s AC system is. Read on to learn more about refrigerant types that are used in central air-conditioning systems.
Freon
Freon used to be among the most common kinds of refrigerant used in AC systems. However, freon, or R-22, has been found to be harmful to the environment. In fact, R-22 is no longer allowed to be used in AC systems based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Other refrigerant types are now used in place of R-22.
R-134A
R-134A can be used in AC systems that run on R-22 or R-12, which is another harmful refrigerant that has been phased out. This refrigerant contains a single component rather than having blended components, as R-22 and R-12 do. Keep in mind that you should have HVAC technicians retrofit your AC system if you’re switching to this refrigerant. Otherwise, potentially dangerous cross-contamination can occur.
R-407C
R-407C is commonly used in ductless-split AC systems and packaged AC systems. This refrigerant can be used in place of R-22 as long as the AC system is retrofitted first. R-407C is considered an eco-friendly alternative to R-22, which makes it a safer choice for the environment.
Choosing a Refrigerant
It’s important to use the right refrigerant for your AC system for safety purposes and to lower the risk of environmental harm. Professional HVAC technicians can help you choose a refrigerant for your AC system and handle the retrofitting process as needed.
If you need more information on refrigerant types, please contact Air Assurance. Our HVAC experts can help you decide which refrigerant you should use in your Broken Arrow home’s AC system.