Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been in use for the last 5 to 6 decades. Refrigerants in the vapour compression cycle produce air-conditioning and refrigerating effects. In the past few years it has been noticed that CFCs are amongst the most destructive refrigerants to our environment. It has also been proved that, CFCs cause the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer and at the same time contribute to the greenhouse effect (global warming).

Large quantities of CFCs are presently used as refrigerants in many air conditioning and refrigerating systems. Although the refrigerant moves in a closed cycle, there are a lot of leaks that help the refrigerants to reach the atmosphere and eventually destroy the ozone layer.

CFCs have a remarkably long atmospheric life which in many cases extends to 100 years. It means that if these refrigerants escape into the atmosphere, they will continue to deplete the ozone layer. The Ozone layer is very important as it prevents harmful ultraviolet rays passing through the atmosphere and hitting the surface of the earth.

When these refrigerants leak from air conditioning and refrigeration systems, they drift to the lower layers of the atmosphere. They then slowly start entering the upper layers of our atmosphere and soon reach the ozone rich stratosphere. There they undergo several chemical changes. With these changes, they cause the ozone layer to deplete. If the ozone layer carries on depleting, the harmful ultraviolet rays will reach the surface of earth. These rays are capable of causing problems like cataracts, skin burns and itching.

Air conditioners provide cooling and an environment that is free from humidity. Within the air conditioner, several chemicals blend with each other to replace the hot air in the room with cool air. A refrigerant is an integral part of an air conditioner.

R-22 is the most common refrigerant known to us and it is commonly known as Freon. R-22, though most popular, is quite harmful to the environment. 410A is a relatively new refrigerant and it is considered more environmental friendly than R-22. Whilst 401A is not harmful to the environment, R-22 is a major contributor towards ozone depletion that is the main reason for global warming.

Earlier, R-22 was the only refrigerant choice, as there were no suitable alternatives or substitutes, especially for centralised air conditioners. Freon or R-22 was initially considered dependable and efficient but with time, it was proven to be unsafe for the environment. For this very reason, R-22 is being phased out and the EPA has issued a ban on any further manufacture of R-22.

By the year 2010, the use of R-22 will be permanently discontinued. Since it is the major reason for the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming, alternative refrigerants to it have been introduced. 410A is a refrigerant that is efficient and not harmful for the environment. The cooling effect of 410A is similar to that of R-22; however, it is not dangerous for the environment. While some old air conditioning systems continue to use the R-22, the introduction of 410A refrigerant will surely prove to be beneficial.

Did you know that the refrigerants used in your air conditioner could cause global warming? This is the reason why we should understand the difference between good and bad refrigerants.
A good refrigerant will be efficient. If the refrigerant utilises less power and produces more cooling, then it is considered an efficient refrigerant. Whether it is a refrigerator or an air conditioner, the output of the machine should be relevant.

The refrigerant in use should not be toxic. If the refrigerant is toxic in nature, then it is harmful for the environment and us. The refrigerant also needs to work consistently during the life span of the appliance.

One of the most important things to consider is that the refrigerant should be safe for the environment. The refrigerants emit gases that are toxic in nature and we indirectly or directly inhale these gases. This can lead to severe breathing disorders and lung or respiratory infections.
Every refrigerant undergoes the process of conversion, which is liquid to gaseous state and back within the air conditioner. It is important for the refrigerant to be reusable. If the refrigerant is not consistent or reusable, then it is simply inefficient.

Lastly and most importantly, the by-products of refrigerants should not be hazardous to the environment. Bad refrigerants can lead to depletion of ozone layer which is the major cause of global warming.

The gradual phase out of the harmful air conditioner refrigerant R-22 has begun. Air conditioner and refrigerant manufacturers are now preparing themselves for the new replacement refrigerant. As the production and use of R-22 decreases, air conditioner manufacturers have resorted to manufacturing systems which will not use R-22. All this is being done in order to protect the protective ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere.

R-22 air conditioners are still widely available and the refrigerant will be produced, so that it can be used in new equipment right up to the end of 2009. However, supplies of R-22 will be limited after 2010 and the refrigerant will become expensive. This means servicing costs for these air conditioners are sure to rise.

The replacement refrigerant for R-22 has been developed and it is called R-410A. The reason behind using this refrigerant is that it has an HFC refrigerant blend, which does not deplete the ozone layer. Air conditioner systems that use R-410A are becoming more common for a number of reasons:

• Because it does not harm the ozone layer.

• Although the initial costs of these units may be a little more, they are more energy efficient, which will save energy costs.

• These air conditioners will be less noisy in their operation.

We have all learnt the benefits of the stratospheric ozone layer. This layer has always protected the Earth and all living beings on it from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. However, today the ozone is in jeopardy of being depleted due to several hazardous chemicals that are let out into the atmosphere. Of these chemicals, HCFCs and CFCs have been the main perpetrators in causing the “ozone hole” over the South Pole.

CFCs and HCFCs are refrigerants that are generally used in air conditioning systems. Should the system develop a leak, these harmful gases can be emitted into the atmosphere. If such refrigerants were emitted continuously, it would probably result in the complete depletion of the ozone. To stop this from happening, the Montreal Protocol was drawn up so that the ozone layer can be saved.

Various countries have been tirelessly working for many years to ensure the gradual phase out of all ozone depleting substances. This process has already seen the phase out of CFCs during the mid 90s. Countries are now working on the phasing out of HCFCs that had replaced CFCs. Although, HCFCs are known to be replacement gases, they still have an ozone depleting potential, but these are not as harmful as CFCs.

January 1st 2010 will see the complete ban on the production and import of HCFC-22, which is also called R-22. After this date, this air conditioner refrigerant will only be used for continuing the servicing requirements of the existing equipment.

For many years, air conditioning units used CFCs as refrigerants in their systems. This refrigerant was one of the main components that helped in the cooling process. But when it was later found that CFCs, when released into the atmosphere resulted in ozone depletion, a substitute was created for CFCs. The substitute refrigerant came in the form of HCFCs.

This type of refrigerant, HCFC, is a compound that contains hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine and carbon and is known to have a shorter atmospheric lifetime as compared to CFCs. The reason HCFCs replaced CFCs was because they were found to be less reactive to the stratosphere than CFCs. Even though they are less reactive than CFCS, HCFCs can still cause the ozone to deplete and for this purpose they have been made as temporary replacements.

The phase out of HCFCs has already begun and in a few years the refrigerant will be used no longer. In 2004, the production of HCFCs went down to a little over 60 %. After more laws and awareness programmes, the production of HCFCs will reduce further to less than 40 % in 2010. By 2015 environmentalists are predicting a less than 20 % production rate, and by 2020, the complete phase out of HCFCs will be in effect.

Although a large number of air conditioners are using HCFCs as refrigerants in their systems, even right now, there are systems that are being developed that will not require HCFCs. Instead a friendlier refrigerant will replace HCFCs.

Air conditioners are luxury devices that people are unable to do without. However, for over a decade now, air conditioners have been designed and manufactured with systems that use R-22 as refrigerants in them. For years R-22 systems have been used in commercial and residential air conditioners but only a couple of years ago, the question of safety regarding this refrigerant was raised.

With certain tests and studies on the impact of R-22 it was found that when this refrigerant was released into the air, it resulted in damage to the ozone layer. Due to the various concerns regarding the ozone depletion potential this refrigerant, the gradual phase out of its production has begun in developed countries. Since air conditioners are such an important part of life today, an alternative refrigerant has been developed.

The new refrigerant which will be used in air conditioning systems is R-410A. This refrigerant is already available but requires different equipment to run since the pressure at which it operates is much higher than that of R-22.

So if you are getting ready to buy an air conditioner, make sure it is an R-410A system as these are the latest units. These units have been tested and it has been found they do not result in ozone depletion. Other benefits of R-410A systems are that they are extremely energy efficient and are much quieter in operation than their predecessors.

Central air conditioners and split air conditioners contain an outdoor unit for condensing and an indoor unit for handling the air.

It is the compressor of the outdoor unit that changes the refrigerant into to high pressure, high temperature gas. This gas then flows through the outdoor coil. In the process the gas loses heat and condenses into a high pressure, high temperature liquid.

The liquid refrigerant then travels through copper tubing and enters the evaporator coil. Here the refrigerant expands and due to this it changes into a low pressure, low temperature gas. The gas absorbs the heat from the circulating air. The cool air is then blown into the room and the heat absorbed is carried outside with the help of copper tubing. This heat is released outside.

It is the refrigerant that absorbs the heat and releases the heat due to its interchanging states, that is, liquid to gas and gas to liquid. Freon or R-22 is a commonly used refrigerant however Puron or R410A is fast replacing it. This is because Freon is slowly affecting the ozone layer and damaging the overall environment. By strict regulations the use of R22 and R410A in an air conditioner requires certification. This is because the R-22 refrigerant will be phased out by year 2010.

Two types of refrigerants are used in air conditioners for cooling. While one of them is R-22 also known as Freon the other one is R410A, which is a blend and is considered to be an environmental friendly refrigerant. The comparisons between the two reveal the current status of the refrigerants.
R-22 or Freon has been used for years and is the first choice for centralised air conditioners. It is considered to be efficient and dependable. However, it has also been associated with the depletion of the Ozone layer and global warming. This is the prime reason for stopping the use of R-22. The manufacture of R-22 is due to stop after the year 2010. However, many old air conditioners continue to use this refrigerant, which poses an immense threat to the environment.

This has led to the emergence of R410A. It is a refrigerant that is fast replacing R-22. R410-A is not only becoming the first choice for air conditioning systems but also proves to be environmental friendly. While the cooling effect remains the same as R-22, the damage done to the environment is zero.

R410-A refrigerant is not interchangeable with R-22. The air conditioning system can only accommodate either of the refrigerants. A new line is introduced for installation along with a new evaporator coil. R410-A is both dependable and efficient in nature. It is also less noisy when compared to R-22. With zero damage to the surroundings and efficient cooling R410-A is truly the refrigerant of the future.

Air conditioners are the best option for people in order to beat the heat during hot weather. This is the main reason why air conditioners are already a part of most households and are growing in popularity day by day. As air conditioners are part of our day to day life, it is essential for us to understand these devices so that we can handle them properly.

Air conditioners come in a variety of designs and with a variety of components. These devices have different techniques of installation, maintenance and ways of operation depending on their individual features. Air conditioners work in a manner that is very similar to refrigerators. They cool the air in your room with the help of a condenser and a cooling coil, while the heat collected from the air is released outside the room.

There are different types of air conditioners for different purposes. Room air conditioners are used to cool individual rooms instead of the entire home. They can be used only in those areas that need cooling, thus decreasing the amount of energy you consume and reduce your electricity bills.

Another type of air conditioning system is a centralised air conditioner. These air conditioners are used to cool your entire home. With centralised air conditioners you have air ducts in every room to allow the circulation of cool air, thus providing you with the comfort you require.