How Is R410a Refrigerant Different From R22? | Triad Sheet Metal

If you have an older air conditioner in your Greensboro, North Carolina, home, you may be facing the prospect of a near-mandatory AC upgrade. After the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlawed the production of new AC units that used R22 refrigerant in 2010, they also banned the importation and domestic production of new R22 supplies in 2020. Older air conditioners that still rely on this refrigerant are becoming increasingly costly to recharge and maintain, and there's growing evidence that R410a may actually be far superior.

From an environmental standpoint, R410a has a far lesser impact on the earth and its climate than R22. While Freon or R22 is recognized as diminishing the earth's ozone layer, R410a or Puron has a completely different chemical composition. By nature, it isn't an ozone-depleting solution. Moreover, Puron is believed to be both more effective and more efficient in its application.

When compared to R22, R401a is capable of absorbing and releasing more heat throughout an air conditioner's cooling cycle. This improved rate of heat absorption limits stress on AC compressors. Thus, an air conditioner that use Puron rather than Freon has a lower likelihood of experiencing compressor burnout and outright compressor failure. While R22 air conditioners use mineral oil to lubricate their compressors, R401a air conditioners use a high-quality synthetic oil that allows for smoother compressor operation. The higher performance of this synthetic oil contributes to longer compressor lifespans as well.

Switching from Freon to Puron isn't as easy as replacing the R22 refrigerant in your current air conditioner to R401a. R401a operates at a significantly higher pressure than Freon does. Having older air conditioners retrofitted to use Puron in place of Freon is a time-consuming, complex, and incredibly costly endeavor. By upgrading to newer air conditioner models instead, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of R401a along with more efficient and more advanced cooling technologies overall. At Triad Sheet Metal, we provide reliable furnace, heat pump, and air conditioner installation, maintenance, and repair services. Residents of Greensboro, North Carolina can also count on us for advanced indoor air quality solutions. Give us a call today to set up an appointment.