When you’re considering the replacement of your existing air conditioner, you may encounter a long list of unfamiliar terms. As you look at new units, you may see references to them using something called R-410A. In this blog Nardco Heating and Air Conditioning explains exactly what R-410A is and why is it important for your AC.
What Is R-410A?
R-410A is what is known as a refrigerant, a material in a liquid or gaseous state that can absorb and transport heat from the environment. Residential air conditioners and heat pumps work by capturing heat from one location and moving it to another. They do this by using refrigerants that are kept in sealed copper tubing and coils.
For example, when the weather becomes steamy and you turn on the AC, your home’s air conditioner captures the heat inside and uses a heat exchanger to transfer it to a refrigerant. That refrigerant then travels through copper tubing through your home’s wall to the condensing unit outside (that’s the big metal box). There, a fan blows across the coils, removing the heat energy from the refrigerant, which travels back to the house to trap more heat.
The Use of R-22
Over the years, manufacturers of heating and cooling equipment have used a variety of refrigerants in their equipment. For many years, the refrigerant of choice was R-22, which is also known as freon. As a refrigerant, freon worked very effectively at keeping homes cool in the summer and warm during the winter months.
Unfortunately, freon is a type of chemical known as a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), and scientists have learned that HCFCs damage the Earth’s ozone layer, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Those scientists believe that as an HCFC, R-22 is a major contributor to climate change. Eventually, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricted the use of R-22 and then banned it altogether in 2020. If your current air conditioning or heat pump system uses R-22 and you need a recharge, you’ll find that the limited supply has driven prices up.
A Safer Refrigerant Option
Because we needed safer refrigerants, scientists began to develop alternatives. The best choice became a new refrigerant known as R-410A refrigerant, and the EPA quickly mandated it as an environmentally friendly alternative refrigerant for home AC systems. While R-410A is a more powerful refrigerant that’s able to cool more efficiently, it does need to operate at a higher pressure than R-22. Many HVAC systems that were designed to work with R-22 may not be able to withstand the extra pressure associated with R-410A.
Today’s newer AC systems and heat pumps have been designed to work with R-410A. Their compressors are stronger and better able to accommodate the higher pressure of the refrigerant. Unfortunately, the additional strengthening has increased the price of many systems. Budget-conscious homeowners may be hesitant to replace their existing systems that use R-22 with more costly systems using R-410A.
However, that choice can be shortsighted. As time goes on, it will be harder to find R-22, so its cost is expected to climb substantially which can prove costly for you if there’s a refrigerant leak. In addition, because R-410A offers superior performance, today’s air conditioning systems and heat pumps are far more efficient than models made just a decade ago. That means homeowners who install equipment that uses R-410A can expect to see significantly lower electric bills. Over time, R-410A is proving to be an economical choice.
Contact Nardco for Air Conditioner Installation Service
Are you unsure about whether it’s time to replace your older HVAC system that uses R-22? The Nardco Heating and Air Conditioning team can help you compare your current system to the higher efficiency you’re likely to see with a new air conditioner. That way, you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
