R410A Refrigerant

R410a Refrigerant

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R410A Refrigerant has replaced R-22 Refrigerant as the preferred refrigerant for residential and commercial air conditioners in South Africa. Unlike alkyl halide refrigerants that contain bromine or chlorine, R-410A Refrigerant (which contains only fluorine) does not contribute to ozone depletion and is therefore replacing ozone-depleting refrigerants like R-22. However, it has a big impact on global warming (1700 times the effect of carbon dioxide), similar to that of R-22 Refrigerant.

R410a Refrigerant Composition

Reducing Ozone Layer Depletion

The quantity of R410a refrigerant used is appreciably low as compared to the R22 refrigerant. Consequently, this results in decreasing the potential of global warming and minimal depletion of the ozone layer. Comparative case studies of the different refrigerants are indicated in the table and chart as below:

Performance Differences

Newer air conditioning models are designed to be used with R-410A for reliable and more efficient operation. Because R-410A can absorb and release more heat than R-22, your air conditioning compressor can run cooler, reducing the risk of compressor burnout due to overheating.

R-410A also functions at a higher pressure than R-22, so new compressors are built to withstand greater stresses, reducing the chance for cracking. If you were to put R-410A refrigerant into a system designed for R-22, the pressure would be too much and the unit would break.

All air conditioners use an oil to keep the compressor lubricated during operation. R-22 air conditioners use mineral oil and R-410A systems use synthetic oil. The synthetic oil is generally more soluble with R-410A than mineral oil is with R-22. This means the R-410A system operates more efficiently reducing wear and tear on the compressor.

Dry Charging

While R-22 was outlawed in 2010 for use in new units, some companies are taking advantage of the law by producing what’s known as ‘dry charge’ units. These are new units that don’t have the refrigerant installed at the factory. Instead, a technician is required to come out to your home and install the R-22 refrigerant. While this practice is technically legal, this isn’t the best option for the following reasons:

There is a limited supply of R-22 and its price will increase as supplies diminish
R-410A offers greater efficiency, saving you in energy costs, and is much better for the environment
Dry charged units typically offer much shorter warranty periods

Although R22 refrigerant is still available to replenish older systems that have refrigerant leak, the cost of that repair is on the rise. Because R410a refrigerant requires different air conditioner components than R22, you cannot replenish a system that uses R22 refrigerant with R410a refrigerant.

In order to reap the efficiency, performance and environmental benefits of R410a refrigerant, you will need to install a new system that is designed to use the refrigerant. If your air conditioner is nearing the end of it’s life span, R410a refrigerant might be a good reason to replace your system sooner rather than later so that you can avoid the rising costs of repairing a refrigerant leak with R22 refrigerant.