What Is Happening With Refrigerants In Air Conditioning Systems?

Due to environmental concerns, our federal government has issued regulations that restrict the future productions of HCFC refrigerants (R22).  This is having, and will continue to have, significant impact on the air conditioning industry.  We want you to know Danisi is aggressively responding to this challenge and preparing now for the future.

BACKGROUND

There have been many reports regarding air conditioner refrigerants and their effect on the earth’s ozone layer.  Refrigerant is the cooling agent used in air conditioning systems.  Most all of the air conditioner and heat pump products sold today utilize one refrigerant knows as R22 which is from the family of refrigerants called HCFCs.  HCFCs have been used for decades in a safe and efficient manner; but government regulations will eventually phase them out of use.

WHAT ARE CURRENT GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS FOR REFRIGERSANTS?

The United States congress, acting in response to an international treaty called the Montreal Protocol, provided new direction and authority to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  As a result, the EPA, through the Clean Air Act, is regulating the production and use of refrigerants in air conditioning systems.  These changes will eventually eliminate air conditioning refrigerants containing chlorine due to the concern about ozone depletion.

HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE EQUIPMENT I MIGHT BUY NOW?

EPA regulations call for the eventual phase out of R22 which is the refrigerant used in current air conditioner and heat pump equipment.  Products that use HCFC refrigerants, such as R22, must stop being produced by the year 2010.  All production of R22 refrigerant will stop by 2020.  After 2020, the servicing of systems that use R-22 will rely on recovered or stockpiled quantities.  It is difficult to predict when these supplies will run out.  Supplies may be available until almost all equipment containing R22 is retired.  However, in the future supplies will be more limited and costs will likely rise.

WHAT MAKES R410A A BETTER REFRIGERANT?

It’s Environmentally Friendlier

R410A is a chlorine free refrigerant that meets the EPA’s newest and most stringent environmental guidelines.  If your system ever leaks, the escaping refrigerant won't contribute to ozone depletion!

You avoid the risk that R22 could Become Expensive or Difficult to get When your System Needs to be Repaired

The old refrigerant R22 will be phased out along with the other ozone depleting chemicals, and both supply and demand of this chemical will be significantly affected by current and upcoming regulations.  By selecting an air conditioner or heat pump that uses R410A, you will avoid the risk associated with purchasing a product that is destined to become obsolete.

R410A Systems Can be More Reliable than R22 Systems

R410A air conditioners and heat pumps are today’s “state of the art” systems, and utilize the most current technology available for efficient and reliable operation.  The heart of every air conditioner or heat pump is the compressor, and newer systems are specifically designed to use R410A refrigerant.  They often incorporate smaller, heavier-duty “scroll-type” compressors that are quieter and operate with less damaging vibration than older compressors that operate on R22.  Since R410A can absorb and release heat more efficiently that R22 ever could, compressors with R410A run cooler than R22 systems, reducing the risk of burnout due to overheating.

It Uses a Synthetic Lubricant that Helps to Keep the System Operating Smoothly

All air conditioning systems use an oil that circulates through the inside of the system to keep all of the parts well lubricated, just like the engine of your car.  R22 air conditioners use an oil known as mineral oil that has been used for decades.  R410A air conditioners use newer synthetic lubricants that are usually more soluble with the R410A than the old mineral oils are with older R22 refrigerants.  This means the synthetic lubricants and R410A can mix and circulate more efficiently to keep the compressor and other moving parts lubricated, reducing wear and extending their life.  Also, just as many new cars use synthetic oils because they are less likely to break down under high stress and heat, the new synthetic oils used in R410A air conditioners are less likely to break down under extreme conditions.

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