Brief Refrigerant History

Since 1985 it’s been well documented that the ozone layer surrounding the earth has been diminishing. Scientific evidence suggests man-made chemicals are responsible for creating the hole in the ozone layer and that they’re likely to add to global ozone depletion.

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) have been used in many products which take advantages of their physical properties. For example, Chloro Fluoro Carbons (CFC’s), have commonly been used as aerosol propellants and refrigerants.

However, since highlighting that the chlorine in CFC’s attributes to the demise of the ozone layer, the ‘Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer’ was negotiated and signed by 24 countries and the European Union in 1987. The protocol calls for all parties to scale down the use of CFC’s, halons and other man-made ODS.

Why R410A?

R410A is a type of refrigerant - a liquid coolant that makes air conditioning possible. R410A was developed as an alternative to R22 (Freon), which will be phased out over the coming years in response to international environmental concerns.
R410A contains no chlorine, so it’s not damaging to the atmosphere’s ozone layer. As an added benefit, independent testing have shown that R410A allows higher heat transfer than R22, resulting in more efficient operation. So choosing an air conditioner with R410A not only makes sense environmentally - it also makes sense from an economic standpoint.

R410A The Refrigerant of Tomorrow

Many of new heat pump and air conditioners today use the EPA recognized, chlorine free R410A refrigerant. Because of R410A contains no chlorine, its ozone responsible. R410A is better for use in higher efficency equipment because of the greater heat transfere rate than R22. Using R410A refrigerant in your next systems not only makes sense environmentally, it can also help you with energy cost savings.

The Current Standard of R22 Freon

Acting in accordance with an international treaty called the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated the eventual phase out of R22 through the Clean Air Act. By 2010, the manufacturing of heating and cooling equipment using R22 will be prohibited, and by 2020 the production of R22 Freon itself must cease. The main reason for this regulatory action is that R22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) compound, which contains ozone-depleting chlorine.

Franklin Heating and Air Conditioning

Telephone (540) 483-0725

Email: comfortzone@franklinheatandair.com