What You Need To Know About The Refrigerant Change

Refrigerant is what keeps your HVAC system able to effectively cool and heat the air inside your Charleston, South Carolina, home. Due to environmental concerns, the type of refrigerant used in HVAC systems is being switched from the old R-22 to the improved R410a. Here is what you need to know about the refrigerant change.

Rationale

The change from R-22 to R410a is a long time coming. In the late 20th century, studies started coming out about the devastating environmental impact R-22, also known as Freon, was having on not only local ecosystems but also the ozone layer. In 2010, it became illegal to create HVAC systems that used R-22. By 2020, R-22 will be illegal to produce or import to the United States. This will help reduce and hopefully reverse some of the damage done by R-22. R410a will take the place of R-22 as a more environmentally-friendly as well as a more effective alternative.

Performance

R410a provides a much higher standard of performance than R-22. It absorbs and releases heat more readily and quickly, leading to reduced climate control times and improved performance as well as energy efficiency. Its chemical properties allow the HVAC compressor to run cooler, which can also extend the life of your HVAC system by reducing wear and tear.

Retrofitting

Systems that were built to run on R-22 cannot be converted effectively to run on R410a. Systems built for R-22 will become more expensive to run as the stock of R-22 dwindles. If you’re currently running an R-22 system, you may want to begin thinking about making the switch over to a more modern HVAC.

Interested in installing an R410a HVAC? M&B Heating and Air can help you pick the system that works best for your home. Give our HVAC experts a call at 843-628-1775 to set up a consultation today!

Image provided by iStock