The Ultimate Guide to AC Refrigerant: Types, Uses, and Efficiency

Air conditioners are really a blessing, especially for people who live in high-temperature regions. ACs can keep your house and office cool and comfortable which allows you to spend your summer months in a much better environment. 

Among the many functional parts of an AC, the refrigerant is probably the most important. It plays a special role in the cooling process and in this article, we are going to discuss what it is. We will also look at some types of refrigerants, their uses, and their efficiency so stay with us till the end.

What is a Refrigerant?

An AC refrigerant is a liquid or gaseous compound that can control the temperature of your indoor environment. They are efficient heat transfer agents that can take the heat from one point and move it to the other as per your needs. 

Refrigerants circulate through the AC and use evaporation and thermal power operations to extract the heat and move it someplace else. This is made possible by the ability of the refrigerant to change its phase from liquid to gas when pressure is applied to it.

How Does a Refrigerant Work?

Refrigerants are present inside your AC units and they cycle through the system continuously to maintain a certain temperature inside the room. In ACs the refrigerant exists inside copper evaporator coils. The evaporator is initially in its liquid state. When it absorbs heat from the room, it starts to evaporate.

This produces a pressure which sends the heated gas to the compressor. The job of the compressor is to pressurize the gas and superheat it. It then sends this gas out to the condenser coils where it cools. The radian heat is blown away from the gas using a fan which is placed near the condenser coils. 

This process leads to a sudden temperature change which then causes the refrigerant to change back into its liquid form. Now this cooled liquid returns to the evaporator coils and the whole process begins again.

Types, Uses, and Efficiencies of Different AC Refrigerants

Refrigerants belong to different groups based on their composition, physical nature, and thermodynamic properties. In this section, we are going to discuss some of the most common refrigerant types and their uses.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS)

These refrigerants were used in the olden days but are now banned for their harmful impact on our ozone layer. The refrigerants under this class include R11, R12, and R115. These refrigerants were banned by the EPA and by 1995 they completely disappeared from the scenes. 

CFCs were effective since they showed very low toxicity, flammability, and reactivity. They were used in ACs, refrigerators, blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and many other applications.

R22 or Freon 22

Though these refrigerants cannot be considered as the solutions for our ozone depletion problem, they were still a big step in the right direction. Freon 22 had an additional hydrogen atom which led to a decrease in the lifespan of CFCs in our atmosphere.  Overall Freon 22 was also quite bad for the ozone layer and that is why EPA had to ban this refrigerant class as well.

R410A or Puron

R410A is a latest refrigerant that is not only good for the environment, but it also provides a much more efficient cooling experience. It is used extensively in refrigerators and air condoners worldwide for its 0 ODP and a medium (2088) GWP rating. This eco-friendly refrigerant gives you a much higher cooling efficiency with very little power consumption.    

R32

R32 is the next generation of refrigerants and is low-impact while being more efficient. Its GWP matric is about 32% that of R410A which means its impact on ozone layer depletion and global warming is very little to none. This refrigerant is equally effective for residential air conditioning systems, industrial refrigerant uses, and air source heat pumps.

AC Refrigerants: The Future

R32 is the most recent refrigerant that has entered the market and is starting to dominate. The reasons for its immense success are its very low energy usage and a considerably small impact on the environment. The latest and most advanced HVAC systems are being created keeping in mind R32 as a refrigerant. These recent HVAC units use about 20% less refrigerant which gives you more energy efficiency.

Why AC Refrigerant Maintenance is Important?

As you know by now, the refrigerant of your AC has to do a very important task. If it is not able to do so, you will not get the desired temperature soon and that can lead to very high energy costs. 

Here are a few points that show why you AC refrigerant maintenance is important:

1. Better Performance Efficiency

Regular maintenance of your AC refrigerant allows you to keep it running at its optimal level. ACs with the right refrigerant level and type can quickly cool down your room which leads to very little power consumption.

2. Low Energy Costs

If the refrigerant level in your AC is low, it has to work harder to maintain the temperature. It can damage your AC and increase power consumption. By regular refrigerant maintenance, you can eliminate this risk altogether. This gives you more cooling in less time thus, saving more energy. 

3. Longer Life of the AC

Low refrigerant levels can lead to premature wear and tear of the AC due to high stress. This can reduce the performance of your AC and eventually, it stops working. You can easily avoid that by having your refrigerant level checked by experts after some time.    

4. Lower Risks of Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks can cause various health hazards not to mention the toll it takes on the AC itself. Regular refrigerant maintenance involves finding out these leaks and getting rid of them before they inflict any damage.

Conclusion

So, this is all you need to know about different AC refrigerants. This critical part of your AC system is what helps you achieve the desired temperature and that is why you need to learn more about it. 

The proper use of the right refrigerants and their disposal is very important for our environment. This is why many governments around the world have come up with refrigerant laws to keep things in check.  

Visit YorkMEA to explore the latest AC refrigerant technologies.