R22 refrigerant has been used for years in central air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-splits, car AC systems, and other refrigeration equipment. If you have a question that you’d like answered in our blog, please contact ASM and we’d be happy to write you an article. By submitting this form, you consent to receive a call, email, or text from a For decades, Freon, also known as HCFC-22 and R-22, was the main refrigerant chemical used in residential air conditioning units and heat pumps. Now, regardless of which side you sit on with regards to the ozone debate, if your contractor gets caught venting Freon without a good reason then he, and in Santa Clarita you could be held liable. Naval Aviator 2005-2015. Heat Pump Temperature Ranges. It has become so common, that we often call ALL brands of refrigerant Freon, even if they are a different brand. So, now we know that Freon is just a common term used to refer to a commercial AC refrigerant. When it is deeply inhaled, it can cut off vital oxygen to your cells and lungs. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. In the mid-1970s, photochemical dissociation of Freons and related CFCs was implicated as a major cause of the apparent degradation of Earth’s ozone layer. Everything you need to know about Freon, refrigerants and CFCs. "Freon" is a commonly known brand of refrigerant, though it is not a descriptive or generic term. Save money here on your Heating and AC system! A haloalkane refrigerant with thermodynamic properties, Norflurane is more commonly referred to as R-134A. Although Freon is a brand name, it has come to be referred to in the HVAC industry as a synonym for “refrigerant.” Freon is a medium toxic but stable halocarbon – what this means, I have no idea but that is why I write articles for the everyday person and leave the smart-talk for my partner, Mike. not call registry. I am sad to say that the HVAC industry is probably one of the worst offenders in the construction industry. how much the units will cost, and the See also chlorofluorocarbon. Freon is the brand name for a series of manufactured gases used as refrigerants. What is Freon made of? Freon is the name of a registered patent for a commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont. They are extremely stable, inert compounds. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Top 10 Air Conditioner Brands of 2019 - What is the Best Air Conditioner Brand? Freon is a halocarbon that cycles through your A/C. Through the 1980s, Freon™ was used in a wide variety of applications, until growing evidence suggested that it was contributing to damage in the ozone layer which protects the Earth. Kind of scary when you think about it, but how often do we look back at how things used to be done and cringe? Refrigerant is a chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Freon™ MO99™ significantly lowers discharge temperatures, which may extend compressor life. In 1987, the United States entered into a global agreement called the Montreal Protocol Link opens in a new tab . We've got you covered! The use of Freons in aerosol-spray containers was banned in the United States in the late 1970s. The Freons are colourless, odourless, nonflammable, noncorrosive gases or liquids of low toxicity that were introduced as refrigerants in the 1930s; they also proved useful as propellants for aerosols and in numerous technical applications. The long answer: What is Freon gas? Air conditioner freon is responsible for cooling your car - it's a key component of your car's A/C. We use Freon because it has a rather useful property that is important to the air conditioning industry – it creates a cooling effect when it evaporates. How does an air conditioner work? Freon is a gas that's used for cooling. Freon (R22 refrigerant or hydrochlorofluorocarbon [HCFC-22]) is a coolant that was commonly used in air conditioning systems until 2004. Freon is a colorless, non-flammable substance, but if it's leaking, then it can smell like fresh-cut grass. Examples are R-22 and R-410A, both used heavily in the HVAC industry although people are in the process of changing to R-410A (known as Puron, which will not deplete the ozone layer). a brand name for any of a class of liquid or gaseous fluorocarbon or chlorofluorocarbon products, used chiefly as refrigerants. Top 10 Heat Pump Brands of 2020 - Which is the Best Heat Pump Brand? specialist who may utilize auto-dial technology to contact you, even if the number you provided is on a do Freon, CFCs and halocarbons – so when you ask a question like “what is Freon made of,” getting a direct answer is hard. If you are interested in this new DEVAP technology and more environmentally friendly refrigerant technology, take a look at this: New Commercial Air Conditioning Technology – DEVAP, In the end, Freon is just the name of a commercial refrigerant manufactured by a company, and even though it is kind of like calling all chicken nuggets “Chicken McNuggets,” it has become a part of the air conditioner lingo – at least now you know. 5 Tips You Must Know When Choosing an HVAC Contractor. Because of this, working with the refrigerant does not require the use of multiple recovery machines. As necessary as Freon is to the optimal performance of your your air conditioner, you do not want to handle a potential Freon problem yourself. Their low boiling points, low surface tension, and low viscosity make them especially useful refrigerants. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Most household air conditioning units work by using a vapor-compression refrigeration system. When used in a freezer, it keeps your food cold and the overall temperature below freezing. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Examples include R-12, often used in refrigerators, and R-22 (also called HCFC-22), used in home air conditioning units. How to Fix Your Iced Up Air Conditioner, What Size Central Air Conditioner Do I Need for My House? In addition to fluorine and carbon, Freons often contain hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. Older systems used the r22 type of refrigerant, known for depleting the Earth’s ozone layer. In most cycles it undergoes phase transitions from a liquid to a gas and back again. Freon is a tradema rked bran d name of air conditioning refrigerant created by DuPont. Companies have quoted prices ranging from $35 to $175 per pound for R-22. Thus, Freons are types of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and related compounds. But it’s used as a generic term for any air conditioning coolant. The good news is that new air conditioning systems made since 2010 no longer rely on Freon. A representative from NextGen Air (BBB A+ rated) will be calling you shortly to confirm your appointment. As of 2020, it’s no longer legal to import or produce r22 in the United States. A DuPont refrigerant A refrigerant is a substance or mixture, usually a fluid, used in a heat pump and refrigeration cycle. See more about how it does this in How does an air conditioner work? Copyright © 2018 Krankenwerks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. We value your privacy. Click Here to See If You Are in ASM’s Service Area. Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Freon and other refrigerants are short lived though, because there are new and exciting technologies which will be hitting the air conditioning industry in the next few years which are completely safe for the environment, and the great part is that they also lower your electric bill by around 40 to 80 percent! Most refrigeration units depend on the chemical reactions of refrigerant gas … It facilitates easy retrofitting in which the technician simply recovers the R-22, replaces critical seals, charges the Freon™ MO99™ refrigerant, and monitors for leaks. Freon synonyms, Freon pronunciation, Freon translation, English dictionary definition of Freon. You might also hear R22 refrigerant called by its chemical name, hydrochlorofluorocarbon 22 (HCFC-22). I would wager that most licensed contractors do this properly, but just so you’re in the know, it wasn’t always done this way. Purchasing Freon™ refrigerants by The Chemours Company provides a reliable supply of high-quality refrigerants to use in new equipment and retrofit opportunities, and to service installed air conditioning and refrigeration systems. We'll call you shortly to confirm the time that works best for you. Related to Freon: Freon 12 carbon tetrachloride A volatile liquid used as a solvent and cleaning agent (dry cleaning), and in fire extinguishers and refrigerants. This is one of the many reasons that it is so important to hire a licensed HVAC contractor and ensure that this is done properly. As of January 2020, R-22 is no longer made in or imported into the U.S. The University of Virginia - 2005 / The Wharton School of Finance - 2016 / U.S. I remember what it was like when I started in the HVAC industry and I felt like people were speaking a foreign language – a language I didn’t understand. Most of us take it for granted that you can simply reach into the refrigerator … Without refrigerant, there would be no air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology.Air conditioners contain refrigerant inside copper coils. Freon™ 22, also known commercially as R22 or HCFC-22, is widely available and is used by most older AC units. For more on choosing the right AC contractor, read 5 Tips You Must Know When Choosing an HVAC Contractor. At All Systems Mechanical air conditioning and heating, we believe that the experience our clients have is every bit as important as the products they receive. The most important members of the group have been dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon 12), trichlorofluoromethane (Freon 11), chlorodifluoromethane (Freon 22), dichlorotetrafluoroethane (Freon 114), and trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon 113). Author of. Symptoms can vary depending on the extent of the Freon exposure, but even a small amount of exposure can cause serious symptoms in humans. Refrigerant poisoning can occur if a person inhales or consumes the chemicals — also known by the brand name of Freon — from cooling appliances, … Freon is a colorless gas that is also known as R-22. Converting to Freon™ MO99™ also: A Short Consumer's Guide From ASM. As such, I figured that our blog was the perfect forum for answering some of these questions. Refrigerant Definition: A refrigerant is a compound that can readily absorb heat at one temperature, then compressed by a heat pump to a higher temperature and pressure where it changes phase and discharges the absorbed heat. To help protect the ozone layer, the EPA has mandated that the production of Freon be stopped by January 2020. If you can believe it, one of the most frequent questions we are asked on installations is, “what is freon made of?”. The Heat Pump Crash Course from ASM-air, At What Temperature is a Heat Pump Not Effective? Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Moreover, the servicing of R22 systems is now limited to the use of recycled or stockpiled quantities of Freon. Depletion of the ozone could create a threat to animal life on Earth because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation that can induce skin cancer. Don’t worry, I think the same thing and I do this for a living. The result is low-pressure Freon gas. Be an Insider, and Get Your HVAC-Facts Report Before You Talk to a Contractor. We want to make sure everyone's questions are answered. what sized unit you will need, which brands consumers prefer, Thus, Freons are types of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and related compounds. Omissions? Many working fluids have been used for such purposes. Freon is a tasteless, mostly odorless gas. HVAC Installation Cost 2019 - What's a Fair Price for a New Heating and Air Conditioning Installation? Your specialist will Don’t be afraid to contact ASM with any additional questions you might have – we are always happy to help with any of your air conditioning or heating needs. Dupont trademarked the name Freon. The construction industry is filled with all sorts of language that can make the layman cringe at the thought of it. Although Freon is a brand name, it has come to be referred … Freon, (trademark), any of several simple fluorinated aliphatic organic compounds that are used in commerce and industry. That comes with a caveat, though. Types of refrigerant: R22 du Pont de Nemours & Company. The Freon liquid then flows through an expansion valve, which causes it to cool down until it evaporates. Corrections? The name Freon is a trademark registered by E.I. “Freon” is simply a brand name owned by DuPont chemicals. CFCs have been used in refrigeration and aerosol cans for many years, but in 1974, a researcher at the University of California hypothesized that CFCs were destroying the ozone layer. The U.S. government has placed restrictions on R22 and has issued the requirement that R22 refrigerant must be eliminated from use in cooling systems by the year 2020. Breathing air that is contaminated with Freon can cause respiratory difficulties, organ damage and, in some cases, death. For immediate assistance you may call (855) 715-4500. Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up? Simply answer a few additional questions about your home and That freon is just a common term used to refer to a commercial AC refrigerant everything need... Get your HVAC-Facts report Before you Talk to a commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont chemicals Troubleshooting Steps for a.! Offers, and R-22 ( also called HCFC-22 ), used chiefly as refrigerants save Here! 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