What is Refrigerant?

June 07, 2016

Your refrigerant is the MVP of your AC system when it comes to keeping you cool through the summer.

Just like your favorite sports team can’t perform without its star player, your AC system simply won’t cool your house without refrigerant.

In the summer, refrigerant moves heat by absorbing it from one area (your home) and dumping it in another (outdoors).

How often do I need to replace my refrigerant?

Refrigerant runs continuously through a closed system so it should never need to be replaced.

If you are low on refrigerant, it most likely means one thing: a refrigerant leak.

See: How Often Does a Central AC Unit Need Charging With Refrigerant?

If you are having issues with your AC system and think you might be low on refrigerant, check out this article to learn more about the warning signs of low refrigerant levels.

What are the most common types of refrigerant?

The two most commonly used refrigerants today are:

  • R-22
  • R-410A

R-22 was once the most common refrigerant. It is now being phased out because of its harmful effects on the environment. In fact, by the year 2020, the use of R-22 will be eliminated completely. Most older air conditioners use refrigerant, a popular refrigerant brand.

R-410A is a refrigerant that is more environmentally-friendly and is becoming the go-to alternative for R-22. Puron is one of the better known brands of R-410A.

Should I replace my AC if my current unit uses refrigerant?

If you’re having issues with an older air conditioner that uses an R-22 refrigerant, you should start thinking about replacing it.

Because of environmental concerns, R-22 is being phased out and will no longer be produced come 2020. That means, if your AC gets a refrigerant leak, you’ll end up paying ridiculously high prices to recharge your AC system due to the limited supply of R-22.

Switching from R-22 to R-410A is also more environmentally responsible because in the event of a leak, R-22 is much more harmful to the ozone than R-410A.

Get a free estimate on R-410A A/C Units

If you are interested in replacing an older air conditioner that uses R-22, we can help. We even offer coupons on system replacements.

Call us or schedule online for a free estimate today.