R410A Refrigerant
R-410A is the new chemical cooling compound created to replace R-22 in air conditioners and heat pumps.
What is R-410A refrigerant?
R-410A
refrigerant is a blend of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) compounds R-32 and R-125. It is non-toxic, non-flammable, and has been used as a replacement for R-22 (commonly known as Freon). The use of
R-22 in the manufacture of new air conditioning units has been prohibited in the United States as well as the European Union since January 1st, 2010.
Other differences include that R-410A refrigerant operates at higher pressures than R-22 and can absorb more heat from the air inside your home, resulting in higher energy efficiency ratings for air conditioners that use it. But this also means that systems reliant on R-22 are generally not compatible with R-410A.
R-410A and your air conditioner
R-410A refrigerant interacts differently with your air conditioner than R-22. R-410A needs to be charged into the system at a pressure much higher than R-22 in order to achieve optimal performance. Additionally, because R-410A has a higher pressure, it can increase the stress on air conditioner components like compressors, valves, and hoses. R-410A also requires different tools and materials for installation than R-22.
Watch this video on
how HVAC systems work to learn more details on heating and cooling systems and refrigerant’s role in the process.
Is R-410A being phased out?
It is now R-410A’s turn to be phased out in favor of newer refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly. R-410A has been found to have a significant global warming potential (GWP), meaning that it contributes to climate change more than other compounds. Additionally, because R-410A operates at such high pressures, there is an increased risk of leaks during maintenance and repair work which can harm the environment.
The
American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down the production and consumption of certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including R-410A. This phasedown begins in 2022 with a 90% production allowance (meaning businesses must reduce HFC-derived CO2 emissions to 90% of baseline values) that drops to 15% by 2036 and beyond.
Available alternative refrigerants have a much lower GWP than R-410A and include hydrofluoroolefins, hydrocarbons such as R-290 and R-600a, and carbon dioxide (R-744).
Check out our
resources guide, or
contact a local technician to learn more about refrigeration and other HVAC topics.