Freon is a fluorine-containing compound. In air conditioners, it has the function of a heat carrier. Freon takes heat from the room and transfers it to the outside air through the evaporator. Freon temperature in the air conditioner at the beginning of the cooling cycle is 5 - 10 degrees. This is the boiling point and transition to a vapor state. After passing through the compressor of the outdoor unit, the freon temperature in the air conditioner increases to 60 degrees.
There are many types of freons, and some refrigerants are not freons at all. What is the difference between them and which freon is better? Let's try to figure it out before buying freon for air conditioners.
Freon types
HVAC equipment manufacturers fill their air conditioners with different types of freon. They differ in both formulas and physical qualities.
The most common types of CFCs for air conditioners:
- R-22;
- R-410A;
- R-32.
Freons of the R-22 type are harmful to the environment: they violate the integrity of the ozone layer.
Equipment on 22 freon does not work correctly when the temperature drops below -5 degrees and rises above +43. In many countries, including Russia, the import of equipment operating on this type of refrigerant has been banned.
Air conditioners on R-410A not only do not burn or explode, but are also completely safe for the environment. The physical properties of this refrigerant are retained down to -15 degrees. Therefore, the best manufacturers have already switched to R-410A freon for air conditioners. This led to an increase in the cost of equipment by 10 percent. The point is, the thickness of expensive copper pipes for the cold line depends on what kind of freon is used in air conditioners. The pressure of R-410A is much higher, therefore, the cost of valuable non-ferrous metal increases. Replacing the refrigerant does not in any way affect the ability to cool or warm the air.
As for the R-32 refrigerant, this is the latest development of chemists. It is cheaper than R-410A, more efficient and completely safe. Its energy efficiency is 5% higher than that of R-410A. DAIKIN Corporation has already released the first heat pump using this type of refrigerant. By 2015, all Chinese-made air conditioners will be manufactured using R-32, and by 2020 it is planned to completely replace the refrigerants that exist today.
Which freon to buy?
You only need to buy freon for the air conditioner of the type with which it was filled at the factory.
Equipment rated for R-22 will not be able to operate on the new type of refrigerant. The same applies to modern models, they should only be refueled with R-410A.
Due to the fact that manufacturers and consumers refuse 22 freon, it is gradually becoming a deficit. And after a few years, the air conditioner will simply have to be thrown away.
Since the innovative R-32 has not yet entered widespread use, the choice remains with the more expensive but effective and safe R-410A.
