Up until very recently, the most common refrigerant found in home air conditioners was R-22 or Freon. However, Freon is also a very potent contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer in the earth's atmosphere, so its use is being phased out.
Alternatives To Freon
As manufacturers phase out R-22 refrigerants, newer environmentally friendly alternatives are being developed. R-410A is an EPA-recognized, ozone-friendly refrigerant. Many of the industry's highest-efficiency cooling systems are now designed to use R-410A refrigerant, benefiting the environment as well as your budget.Freon Use In Air Conditioners Today
Although air conditioner manufacturers are required to phase out the use of R-22 systems, the use of R-22 refrigerant is still allowed in older systems manufactured prior to 2010. If you have an older air conditioner that uses Freon, it's important to ensure that the unit is well maintained and not leaking into the atmosphere.As the availability of Freon for air conditioners become lower in the coming years it makes sense to plan on upgrading to an R-410A system now. When your old air conditioner is removed Maxwell will properly recycle the components to ensure the Freon does not damage the environment.