During installation, service or retirement of equipment, the Clean Air Act does not allow any refrigerant to enter the atmosphere. That is why R-22 must be recycled for it to be reused in the same system.

R-22 is a single hydro chlorofluorocarbon or HCFC compound. It has very low chlorine content, ODP and only a small global warming potential.

The servicing of R-22 based systems will rely on recycled refrigerants after 2020. The chemical manufacturers will be able to produce R-22 in air conditioners until 2010 and they can also continue its production until 2020 for servicing the air conditioners. R-22 will be available for all the systems that require R-22 servicing for the coming 15 years.

The lengthy phase-out period for R-22 implies that market conditions would not be greatly affected and cause price hikes of refrigerants that have characterised the phase-out of R-12 the refrigerant used in automotive air-conditioning systems.

Alternative non-ozone depleting refrigerants are being researched and produced as R-22 is gradually on the verge of extinction. R-410A is one of these substitutes.

Azeotropes, zeotropes near-azeotropes or those made of two or more compounds of similar type are among the R-22 refrigerant replacements employed in the air conditioning industry. Based on the desired characteristics, the components are chosen.

Based on the exact desired characteristics in the final product like vapour pressure, transport properties, lubricant and material compatibility, thermodynamic performance, toxicity, flammability, stability, cost and environmental properties, the components are chosen in the right proportions.

There is a clear need to transition from HFCs to HFCs. By 2010, R-410A will replace R-22 completely in new equipment.

The benefits of R-410A are as follows:
-    It has the lowest global warming TEWI (Total Equivalent Warming Impact).
-    It does not contain any ozone-depleting chemicals.
-    It has increased reliability and efficiency.
-    It has proven long-term HCFC replacement capability.

With R-421A as a liquid, charge the equipment. Do not charge into the compressor the liquid refrigerant directly. The total charge of R-412A depends totally on the type of the system. It may be required to use a larger expansion valve orifice if you want full utilisation. It is advisable to clearly label any converted equipment that contains R-421A.

The meaning of value differs from person to person. But if you want to find a good value for your money when buying your own air conditioning unit, follow these steps:

-    Before purchasing a unit, read testimonials and reviews from current owners of that unit. Carefully tead the reviews- good as well as bad. This will help you in making your choice.
-    Try to gauge the total cost of ownership. The purchase price is not as important as the price of the system over its lifespan including maintenance. You must take some time to estimate the usage, the expected life and also factor in the energy cost of the system.
-    There are some systems that are expensive than the others as they have extra features. But it depends on your needs and budget whether to go for these high-end models or not.
-    There are different price points for different models. If two systems are priced similarly, it does not mean that they have similar efficient ratings.

The phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants will have a major impact on the global HVAC industry. The step towards new nonchlorine hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants calls for:

-    phasing out R-22 in new equipment by January 1, 2010,
-    stopping the production of R-22 by 2020

R-410A is the leading choice for replacing R-22 in air conditioning systems, being more environmentally friendly refrigerant with zero ozone depletion and higher energy efficiency.

It is proved beyond doubt that R-410A will be a long term choice for air conditioning applications. Other retrofit refrigerants have not been approved for other air conditioning units. R-410A ensures:

- The most efficient systems for improved cost control
- Lower energy bills
- Reduced maintenance expenses

R-410A has an enhanced heat-pump performance. Its design is cost-effective and it has higher EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio). On the other hand, using R-22 retrofit replacement refrigerants can mean lower cooling capacity and energy efficiency, and less comfort and satisfaction for your customers.

Air conditioners in homes, offices and public spaces ensure that the air we breathe is free of pollutants, allergies and bad odour. To purify the air, many people use indoor air cleaning systems. The simplest solution is to add a filtration module to the air conditioning or heating system. You can also use a portable air conditioner.

When buying an air purification system, you need to consider the following things:

1. The noise created by an air conditioning system
2. The performance of an air conditioning system
3. The capacity of the air conditioner and the size of your room.

When buying an air purification system, list down you requirements. You will have to consider aspects like occupancy levels, area of the room, etc. Accordingly, search for various options. Compare all the products and aspects. Also, consider the cost factor.

Most of the air purification systems have to be maintained regularly. So you will have to find out about the filers and the ease of their replacement.

Always choose a conditioner with high capacity than the recommended one. This will help during overload.

The phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons for the air conditioning systems is a major factor in the improvement of the ozone layer depletion problem. It has had a significant and positive effect on the environment. This will help in reducing harmful chlorine in the atmosphere.

The bigger challenge that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) industry now faces is a phase-out of all hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC refrigerants) in new equipment by 2010, including the popular air conditioning refrigerant, R-22.

The manufacturers are compelled to choose new HFC refrigerants that will not include harmful chlorine because of the phase-out of R-22. It must also offer the best system efficiency.

The new refrigerants must be environment friendly. All of the HFCs that have been evaluated are non ozone-depleting, nonflammable, recyclable and energy-efficient refrigerants of low toxicity that are safe and cost-effective.

A specific HFC, R-410A is identified as the best long-term solution for residential and light commercial air-conditioning systems. This is because of its high-efficiency performance in air conditioners as well as direct GWP value close to R-22.

Air conditioner filters are basically devised for keeping the air conditioner’s clean. They have evolved over a period of time and offer many benefits to the users. For example, air conditioner filters keep the air clean in the office or home. They also enhance the efficiency of the air conditioning unit.

On the other hand, air filtration systems are an effective means of cleaning harmful pollutants and containments. It improves the indoor air quality and avoids problems related to the health issues.

Air pollution and contaminants are categorised into three common groups. They are as follows:

1.    Biological pollution
2.    Particulate pollution
3.    Volatile organic compound pollution.

Also, remember that the drainage pipe of the air conditioner needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. They should be cleaned by inserting a cap at one end and putting vacuum cleaner at other end so that the dirt can be removed totally. Another way of checking and clearing the drainage system is by using a hose to run the water down to the pipe.

R-11 is a CFC or single chlorofluorocarbon compound. It has a high content of chlorine and ozone depletion potential (ODP) with high global warming potential (GWP). The manufacture and use of R-11 and related CFC refrigerants is now forbidden in the European Union even for servicing.
From 2010, only saved recycled stocks of R22 can be used, as it will not be manufactured anymore. The phase out of R-22 has been taking place as detailed below:

From July 1 2002, only air conditioning equipments can be manufactured that uses refrigerant R-22.

From January 2004, heat pump equipments that use refrigerant R-22 cannot be manufactured any more.

After January 1 2010, Virgin refrigerant R-22 cannot be used any more in existing systems.

Post 2015, recycled refrigerant R22 cannot be used in current systems.

If you have installed an R-22 air conditioner recently, then the phase out dates will not be of any concern to you. Your system will require additional refrigerant during a major leak or repair.

There is already a drop in the use of R22 with replacement refrigerant of zero ozone depletion potential - R417A.

A typical air conditioner releases 1.34 lbs of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt hour it is used. Newer air conditioners are much better than the older ones as the former are obviously more eco friendly and provide more comfort as well as cost-saving through reduced electricity bills.

While purchasing new air conditioning, first we have to consider the proper size of the air conditioning unit. You should choose the right kind of air conditioner for your room, office or building. If it is a small room, a small air conditioner with less tonnage is more than enough.

Also, one has to calculate the BTU (British Thermal Units) by multiplying the space of the room by 10 and adding 4,000 to that number. BTU is the measure of energy used by the air conditioner.

You should look for an air conditioner that can quickly dehumidify the air in a humid setting. Many air conditioners come with a recirculation option. This allows the air, which is already cooled, to be re-circulated around the area.

Here is an explanation of how the air conditioner’s thermostat works. A thermostat is a very simple device. It is attached to a switch which turns on the heater. By removing the thermostat cover, the inner mechanism of the thermostat can be seen and understood.

The top layer in the thermostat holds a mercury switch and thermometer coil. A mercury switch is a small vial filled with the liquid metal. There are three wires within this vial. One wire is at the bottom of the vial, other at left and the third towards the right.

When the temperature rises or drops, the vial of the mercury tips towards right or left, which makes the corresponding wire to come in contact with  the wire that run towards bottom. If the mercury is tipped to the left, a connection is made, which creates a current that relays energy, by which heater and circulation fan gets started.

When the room heats the connection is broken, which causes the heater to turn off and if the mercury switch is tilts to the right, there is another relay that causes the air conditioning to turn on and start cooling again.