Air conditioning installation and repair is something we take very seriously. We want you to understand the different types of AC units, and how they affect the environment.
All air-conditioning systems and heat pumps are using a refrigerant for transferring the heat and cooling the air. Most of these HVAC systems were using Freon as a refrigerant. Freon, when released, caused damage to the environment, depleting the ozone layer in the atmosphere. The ozone layer protected the earth from harmful UV rays, making it difficult for plants and animals to survive. Freon is being slowly replaced by Puron which does not affect the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere, and a comparison of Freon Vs. Puron is being provided for reference.
What is Freon22?
Freon also was known as R22 is a Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (CHFC) which was widely used as a refrigerant in HVAC systems worldwide a few decades ago. However, when the refrigerant was released from the HVAC system into the atmosphere, the gas combined with the oxygen in the ozone layer, depleting the layer of ozone, which shielded life on earth from harmful UV rays. So though most of the HVAC systems used Freon, it was decided to stop the use of the gas. The systems using Freon are cheaper to manufacture compared to other HVAC systems, so the transition has been slow. Now instead of releasing the Freon into the atmosphere, it is being recycled.
What is Puron?
Puron is the trademarked name of R-410A, a refrigerant that is being used to replace Freon as it is environmentally friendly and does not deplete the ozone layer around the earth. It is a mixture of difluoromethane, and pentafluoroethane does not contain chlorine, like other refrigerants. The refrigerant was introduced by Carrier in 1996 and is widely used as a replacement for Freon which is being banned. Other reasons for using Puron, is that it is more efficient as a refrigerant, less energy is required, it is nontoxic and it is not inflammable. Also, as the price of Freon increases due to the ban, Puron is likely to be cheaper.
What is the Freon Loophole?
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) which regulates the environment has banned the manufacturers from shipping air conditioners with Freon R22 from 2010, to reduce the environmental damage caused by R22. However, the units which are using Freon are cheaper to manufacture as Freon requires less pressure, so manufacturers are using the Freon Loophole to ship dry units of air conditioning systems that do not have Freon in the heat pump. Later at the time of installation, Freon is added to the air-conditioner, for a working system. The HVAC installer will arrange for the Freon, purchasing expensive new Freon or using recycled Freon.
The Freon22 Phase Out Explained
The depletion of the protective ozone layer around the earth increases the UV rays, which can cause skin cancer and other problems, so environmental protection agencies worldwide collectively decided to phase out the use of Freon by imposing restrictions on the manufacture of air-conditioning units using Freon and also the production of Freon. The regulatory body announced that no air-conditioners which used Freon as a refrigerant will be shipped from 2010, and the production of Freon would be halted by the year 2020. Imports would also be a restriction. As a result, the price of Freon has increased rapidly, and it is no longer economically viable for most people to use Freon.