New Freon 410-A

Mathes Mechanical Heating & Air

New Freon 410-A

Facts on new Refrigerant- 410-A / Puron

Why we need new refrigerants

In 1987, at an international meeting know as the Montreal Protocol, new regulations concerning chemicals with ozone depleting properties were adopted by participating nations. As a result the exisiting refrigerant (R-22) used curently in residential and light commercial air conditioning systems was targeted as an ozone depleter due to the chlorine molecules it contains. Because of this fact it is one of the many chemicals scheduled for eventual phase out by the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA).

Phase Out Schedule

The phase out of the Production of new R-22 Refrigerant will begin in year 2004. The level of new R-22 refrigerant manufacturers will be allowed to produce will be gradually reduced until all production of new refrigerant R-22 is stopped in year 2020. After year 2020, manufacturers will only be allowed to recycle existing refrigerant to meet future demand.

The New Refrigerant

The new refrigerant R-410A/Puron has surfaced as the preferred replacement by most manufacturers of air conditioning equipment. It is also marketed under the brand name Puron. It is easily distinguishable in its pink container as opposed to the R-22 green container.

Cost

Currently R-410A refrigerant is more expensive than R-22. It is expected once factories are re-tooled to produce R-410A equipment to meet the demand, our government has begun to tax the use of R-22 out of existence. This scenario has already played out with other refrigerants. Such as R-12.

Compatability

R-410A and R-22 equipment cannot be cross matched. That is, if a R-410-A condenser or heat pump is installed, the indoor coil must be equipped with a R-410-A metering device.

How This Affects My Buying Decision

Consumers should now more than ever plan and schedule their purchase carefully to avoid down time. Both the indoor cooling coil and the outdoor condenser must be replaced when converting to R-410-A. This is a much longer process than just replacing an outdoor unit.

Most manufacturers are on board with new R-410-A prodcuts, and some have aggressive plans for complete phase out of their R-22 product line well before the 2010 deadline. With over 10 years of installed products operating in the field, the new R-410-A systems have proven to be every bit as reliable and efficient as the R-22 poducts are.

Installation and Service

Installation and service technicians must be certified and trained to install and service R-410-A equipment. Higher operating pressures require special gauge manifold sets and hoses, as well as compatible leak detection and reclaim equipment. Deep vacuum and 410-A specific driers are critical to the long term performance of the equipment. The synthetic polyol ester oil (POE) used in these units is extremely hygroscopic (absorbs water easily). Proper evacuation to 500 is esential.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is R-410-A?

A. R-410-A is a mixture (blend) of refrigerants that create near identical properties of R-22, but are free of ozone depleting chlorine molecules. (50% R-32 and 50% R-125)

Q. Why do we need it?

A. R-410-A was developed to replace the ozone depleting R-22 refrigerant now used in most residential and some commercial air conditioning equipment. Phase out schedules for R-22 were established at the 1987 Montreal Protocol and will begin in the year 2004 and continue through 2030.

Q. Will my existing unit work with 410-A?

A. The operating pressure of R-410-A is 50-70% higher than R-22. This requires not only a specially designed compressor and metering device, but also thicker walls on refrigerant tubing for safety. Therefore, R-410-A may only be used in equipment specifically designed for the new refrigerant.

Q. Does servicing a R-410-A unit differ from R-22?

A. The following service changes apply:

1. Special equipment such as gauge manifold sets and hoses and compatiable leak detection and reclaimation equipment is required for the installation and service of R-410-A systems.

2. Vacuuming R-410-A systems and the installation of R-410-A specific driers is critical to long term performance of the R-410-A equipment. The synthetic polyol ester oil (POE) is extremely hygroscopic (absorbs water easily), and evacuation to 500 microns is essential.

3. Removal of any suction line filter is imperative after 72 hours of run time. The POE will break down drier dessicants and the resulting sludge will permeate the system.  Manufacturers will eventually void warranties on returned compressors which contain such sludge.

4. Replacement of failed parts must be done with like components rated for higher pressures (i.e. pressure control metering device.).

5. Pink is the industry designated color for R-410-A.

6.  Comparable operating pressures for like results at a 90 degree ambient are as follows

Refrigerant     Pressure

R-22                78-250

R-410-A           140-400

Low pressure cut out setting is 50PSI

High pressure cut out setting is 610PSI

Q. Who has R-410-A equipment?

Most manufacturers are on board with at least one line of R-410-A equipment.

For expert advise on equipment using the new refrigerant, call Mathes Mechanical Heating & Air at:

Mathes Mechanical Heating & Air

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

225-262-4090

or e-mail this site

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