It’s no secret that the refrigerant used in your HVAC system affects the health of the environment. The development of new technologies is always underway to reduce pollutants. With the phasing out of certain HCFCs, the industry is preparing for a shift towards more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Some of these new refrigerants are already in use, including R-410A. This olefin-based refrigerant offers the best balance of efficiency and safety.
There are also new olefin-based refrigerants with lower GWP values. These options will increase in use in the coming years.
One of the major challenges associated with the introduction of these new products is the need for training. Technicians must follow specific product-specific safety guidelines, and they must maintain the latest safety tools.
In addition, some refrigerants will require changes to building codes. New equipment may also need additional time for gasses to dissipate safely.
Refrigerants like R-22, which have a high ozone depleting potential, will eventually phase out. However, they will continue to be used in some air conditioning units. They were once the industry standard, but will soon be replaced by more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Puron, a hydrocarbon refrigerant without chlorine, has become popular. This product is gaining popularity because it is safer for the environment and also produces higher pressure than R-22.
Another type of refrigerant, R-454b, has a lower global warming potential than R-22. It is also mildly flammable.
While the R-22 refrigerant will soon be phased out, it is still used in many older air conditioners. This means that it will be available for repair for quite some time.