Changing your HVAC system may be inevitable – especially if the system that you have been using at home is nearing its 15-year lifespan. If you are planning on installing a new AC unit, chances are you’d be utilizing the R410 refrigerant.
Identified to have low-ozone depletion potential, the R410A refrigerant is used in the vast majority of residential air conditioners. In fact, it has established itself as the industry standard when it comes to air conditioning units. But as a homeowner, do you know exactly what refrigerants are for? What is R410A refrigerant? How different is R410A from R-22?
Before making your purchase, here are some of the things that you have to know about R410A refrigerant and which is the best among the refrigerants available at present.
What is a Refrigerant?
To make sure that we are on the same page, let’s define what refrigerants are first. Refrigerants are cooling agents for appliances, like refrigerators and air conditioners. It absorbs heat and leaves the air cool when passed through a compressor and evaporator. Going through the thermodynamic process, it fluctuates between a liquid or gas state to transfer heat from one area to another.
For years, R-22 has dominated the refrigerant market. However, with the growing environmental concerns faced right now, the manufacture of R-22 has been put on hold and eventually phased out because of the harm that it causes to the environment.
What is R410A Refrigerant?
R410A, more commonly known as Freon, is a blend of difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane with low ozone depletion potential. It has been introduced to replace the R-22 which did great in keeping the insides of homes and offices cool but had the opposite effect on the ozone layer and the planet as a whole, as the hydrofluorocarbon used in the refrigerant depletes the ozone layer, allowing UV rays to penetrate the ecosystem.
In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency phased out the use of R-22 in air conditioning units and completely banned companies from manufacturing and importing it on January 1, 2020. While there are homeowners who are still utilizing the R-22 refrigerant, they are now relying on the limited supply of recycled or stockpiled quantities of R-22 refrigerant.
Is R410A Expensive?
As per HomeAdvisor, AC refrigerants usually cost anywhere between $200 – $500 or around $300 on average. If you’re working with a registered AC technician, then you can probably purchase a 25-pound canister of Freon for $500. However, it is important to note that those with old R22 systems can’t make use of the R410A because of pressure differences. If you still own an R-22, it would most likely cost you more.
Expenses may also increase around summer when the demand for indoor cooling surges. Aside from refrigerant, you also have to keep in mind the labor cost for R410A replacement or installation. To make the most of your money, it is highly recommended that you get services from skilled technicians, like the team of hardworking experts at Fast Affordable Air.
No one wants to waste their money, time, and effort. Hence, it is best to have your HVAC system checked from time to time—to examine your coils, run amperage checks, and check your entire cooling system. This way, you get to be informed on what needs to be repaired or replaced before worse scenarios happen.
Keep your home in Las Vegas a comfortable place to live in and have your air conditioning units checked. Whether it has R22 or R410A refrigerant, our skilled technicians are more than capable of solving your issues. Give our Las Vegas AC Repair specialist a call now and we’ll make sure that your concerns will all be met.
