A Better Refrigerant For Air Conditioners And The Environment

Most air-conditioners and heat pumps sold aroundWe all know that the first thing �to
the world use a refrigerant called R-22. Emissionsgo� on an air conditioning unit is the
of R-22 are considered by some experts to be acompressor. All air-conditioning systems use an oil
significant factor in depleting the ozone layer thatthat circulates through the inside of the system
protects animals and people from harmful raysto keep all of the parts well lubricated, just like
from the sun.the engine of your car. R-22 air conditioners use
Families now have the choice to ask for anan oil known as �mineral oil� that
air-conditioner or heat pump that uses a morehas been used for decades. R-410A air
efficient and environmentally friendlier refrigerantconditioners use newer synthetic lubricants that
called 410A or R-410 when buying a new systemare usually more soluble with the R-410A than the
for their home.old mineral oils are with the older R-22
It�s Environmentally Friendlier. If yourrefrigerants. This means the synthetic lubricants
system ever leaks, the escaping refrigerantand R-410A can mix and circulate more efficiently
won�t contribute to ozone depletion! Whyto keep the compressor and other moving parts
can�t R-410A affect the ozone layer?lubricated, reducing wear and extending their life.
R-410A is not a CFC or an HCFC. It is called anAlso, just as many new cars use synthetic oils
HFC, or hydrofluorocarbon, and is made ofbecause they are less likely to break down under
hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. Because ithigh stress and heat, the new synthetic oils used
has no chlorine, it won�t interact with thein R-410A air conditioners are less likely to break
ozone layer once it breaks down.down under extreme conditions.
You avoid the risk that R-22 could becomeR-410A offers some wonderful advantages, but it
expensive or difficult to get when your systemrequired the manufacturers of air conditioners to
needs to be repaired in a few years. The oldredesign their products to take advantage of the
refrigerant R-22 will be phased out along withproperties of the refrigerant. The reason why a
other ozone depleting chemicals, and both supplyrefrigerant works is because it captures the heat
and demand of this chemical will be significantlyfrom one place, and then releases the heat
affected by current and upcoming regulations. Bysomewhere else. R-410A captures heat and then
selecting an air conditioner or heat pump that usesreleases it better than R-22 did, so manufacturers
R-410A, you will avoid the risk associated withhave found that they need less refrigerant in an
purchasing a product that is destined to becomeR-410A air conditioner than they needed in an
obsolete.R-22 air conditioner. Because there�s less
R-410A systems can be more reliable than R-22refrigerant, they need less copper tubing, and
systems. R-410A air conditioning and heat pumpoften can use a smaller compressor. The bad
are today�s �state of thenews was that R-410A couldn�t be used
art� systems, and utilize the mostin air conditioners that were made to use R-22,
current technology available for efficient andbut the advantages for new air conditioners were
reliable operation. The heart of every airtoo great to pass up.
conditioner or heat pump is the compressor, andIt's obvious that air conditioners manufactured for
newer systems are specifically designed to useusing R-410A are more efficient, more reliable,
R-410A refrigerant. R-410A can absorb andand may even be less costly then the older units
release heat more efficiently than R-22 everthat still use R-22. Compare the SEER or EER
could, compressors with R-410A run cooler thanratings and the ENERGY STAR rating to be sure.
R-22 systems, reducing the risk of burnout dueNeed more information? Check these sites.
to overheating.