Cooling systems operate by using refrigerant to extract heat from indoor air. When deciding on a new or replacement HVAC system for your Birmingham home, the refrigerant that each system uses will have a significant impact on its efficiency, performance and the cost of recharging your system when necessary. Freon, R-410A and R-454B are three of the most common refrigerant types for HVAC systems in our area. The friendly and knowledgeable HVAC experts at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Birmingham can help you choose the right HVAC system and the best refrigerant type for your specific set of needs. Our dedicated HVAC technicians will work with you to find solutions that work for your home and your budget. Here are some key facts you should know about the differences between Freon, R-410A and R-454B refrigerants for your cooling system in Birmingham, Alabama.
How Cooling Systems Work: The Cooling Cycle
Most central air conditioning systems consist of an outdoor compressor and condenser, an indoor evaporator coil and an air handler that distributes cool air throughout interior spaces. Air conditioning refrigerants travel between the outdoor compressor and the evaporator coil. The cooling cycle starts with refrigerant in gas form inside the compressor. When pressure is applied by the compressor, however, the low-pressure refrigerant gas is heated up and pressurized. This high-pressure hot gas is then transferred to the condenser, where it cools down to become a pressurized liquid. That liquid then is transferred into the evaporator, where it is allowed to expand and to vaporize into gas form. The process of evaporation allows the refrigerant to absorb heat from indoor air to cool it. The cooled air is then distributed through ductwork to indoor spaces and the low-pressure refrigerant, now in gas form, returns to the compressor to begin the cooling cycle once more.
What Are the Main Types of HVAC Refrigerant?
The refrigerants used in climate control applications have changed considerably since the early days of the industry. These changes were made to reduce the impact of these chemical compounds on the environment. Specifically, many refrigerants have been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer and have been discontinued or banned in the United States. Cooling systems are typically configured to run on a specific type of refrigerant. Using the wrong refrigerant in your AC system or heat pump can potentially reduce its efficiency and durability. In some cases, the use of the wrong refrigerant can also pose safety risks for you and your family. Some of the most popular refrigerants are Freon, R-410A and R-454B:
- Freon is the commonly used name for a variety of refrigerants that include R-12, R-13 and R-22. For many years, R-22 was the most popular refrigerant for home and business HVAC systems. Freon systems, however, were phased out in 2020 because of their damaging effects on the ozone layer and their unwanted contributions to climate change. Some older systems still use Freon as a refrigerant. Since no more is being manufactured or imported into the United States, however, the cost of Freon refrigerant has increased significantly over the past few years.
- R-410A became a popular refrigerant choice as Freon was phased out in most countries. While R-410A does not contain the same dangerous chemical compounds as Freon refrigerants, its use has also been identified as an environmental concern. In 2025, R-410A systems will no longer be manufactured or imported into the United States. Supplies of R-410A refrigerant, however, will still be available for recharging systems that use this chemical compound.
- R-32 is a newer refrigerant designed to reduce environmental impact for cooling systems. HVAC systems that operate using this refrigerant are expected to be widely available in early 2025.
- R-454B is considered the logical successor to R-410A and eliminates many of the environmental concerns associated with its use. Systems that use this refrigerant for heat transfer are expected to be available on a wider scale starting in the first quarter of 2025.
Freon: No Longer Commercially Available
Freon is no longer manufactured in or imported into the United States. No new systems use Freon as the refrigerant because of its damaging effects on the environment. While some stockpiles of Freon may still be available for older systems, the cost of this refrigerant is already high and is expected to increase as supplies dwindle.
The Basics of R-410A Refrigerant
Most HVAC systems manufactured in recent years are designed to use R-410A refrigerant as a cooling medium. R-410A is a combination of pentafluoroethane and difluoromethane that has been sold under brand names Puron, AZ-20, Forane 410A and EcoFluor R410. R-410A refrigerant is currently being phased out by the HVAC industry for environmental reasons. In 2025, for instance, no new R-410A systems will be manufactured in the United States or imported into the country. Current supplies of R-410A systems and refrigerant, however, can still be sold by dealers while those supplies last.
R-32 and R-454B: What Makes Them Different?
R-32 and R-454B will replace R-410A refrigerant starting in 2025. Both of these compounds are less injurious to the environment than previously available refrigerant types. R-454B consists of the primary ingredient of R-32, difluoromethane, combined with a compound called R-1234yf. Brand names for R-454B include Puron Advance, Solstice 454B and Opteon XL41. If you plan to replace your HVAC system in the next year or so, you will likely have a choice between older R-410A systems and newer R-32 or R-454B systems. Choosing the environmentally friendly option may ensure that refrigerants for your system will be available throughout its expected lifespan.
The Right HVAC Team Makes a Difference
At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, we specialize in providing the right guidance and recommendations for every customer we serve. If you are planning an HVAC replacement or need service for your current cooling system, we are here to help you achieve cool comfort indoors in Birmingham, Alabama. Give us a call today to discuss your needs with the professionals at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Birmingham. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.