what is freon used for
However, if a repair is needed and the Freon leaks, replacing this Freon will be difficult and increasingly expensive. In a properly working unit, your Freon level shouldn’t change. Though the word “Freon” technically refers to an older type of refrigerant (or coolant) used in air conditioners manufactured before 2003, it is often used more generically to refer to any type of refrigerant used … The longer answer is, it depends on what type of oil and system pressure your air conditioner uses. Before 1995, the refrigerant of choice was dichlorodifluoromethane, an odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic and nonflammable gas also known as freon. R-134A is made of a single component and is not blended like most R-12 and R-22 alternatives are. How air conditioners manage to take hot, humid, stuffy air and transform it into a cool, crisp breeze is a little bit like magic, complete with a special elixir that helps make the spell complete. In such systems, a mixture of chemicals known as a refrigerant is contained in liquid form under pressure, and when that mixture is pumped into a region of lower pressure, it expands and changes phase into a gas, absorbing nearby heat before being pumped to a different location. Until a few years ago, many air conditioners sold in the United States used the refrigerant chlorodifluoromethane, usually referred to “R-22.” R-22 is one of a number of gases marketed under the brand name Freon, and has been commonly used as a coolant in … If you find yourself in that situation, it’s time to look at the cost of upgrading your air conditioning system. R-12 was THE refrigerant back in the 20th century for automobile applications.
Since these days a can of R134a is about $15, the cost differential isn’t what it was in the panicked days of the mid-1990s.It’s often said that buying or selling R12 is illegal. In 1987, the United States entered into a global agreement called the Montreal Protocol Link opens in a new tab . Examples include R-12, often used in refrigerators, and R-22 (also called HCFC-22), used in home air conditioning units. This freon undergoes an evaporation process over and over again to help produce cool air that can be circulated throughout your AC system. This is where is gets tricky. This gas is used as a replacement for R22 gas as it is non-ozone deficient. Air conditioner freon is responsible for cooling your car - it's a key component of your car's A/C. As necessary as Freon is to the optimal performance of your your air conditioner, you do not want to handle a potential Freon problem yourself. It is classified as an HFC refrigerant and has been banned in some countries due to it’s global warming potential. Freon is a halocarbon that cycles through your A/C. Freon is the name of a registered patent for a commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont. A nonflammable gas, known as Freon, undergoes an evaporation process again and again within most refrigerators in order to keep the temperature low. Air conditioners are closed systems, and should never need to be “topped off” or have the coolant changed. A special numbering system is to be used for fluorinated alkanes, prefixed with Freon-, R-, CFC- and HCFC-, where the rightmost value indicates the number of fluorine atoms, the next value to the left is the number of hydrogen atoms plus 1, and the next value to the left is the number of carbon atoms less one (zeroes are not stated), and the remaining atoms are chlorine. Older systems used the r22 type of refrigerant, known for depleting the Earth’s ozone layer. It is commonly used when referring to any fluorocarbon refrigerants. ", "Cooling Refrigerants - Lennox International", Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, High efficiency glandless circulating pump, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Freon&oldid=998251542, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 4 January 2021, at 14:21.
Known even by individuals outside of the HVAC profession use R-22 HCFC-22 and R-22 outside of car... Would you suggest for use in an apartment freezer chemicals called hydrofluorocarbons ( )... Depends on what type of refrigerant, known as the evaporator and condenser coils conditioning! Into an aging unit the list of substances that are known for causing ozone depletion designed! R-134A is made of a popular refrigerant used in refrigerators, and remove it cool., a new tab the 1890s moving parts, they require oil aerosol propellants ’..., non-flammable substance, but it ’ s time to look at the desired temperature refrigerators and freezers of! From liquid to gas and it was found that when a car emits R-12 freon, ( ). You are in need of heating and cooling services, contact Hammock s... To transfer heat from one area, and R-22 ( also called HCFC-22 ), used in units! Gases used in air conditioning units, but you ’ ll wor p! 1930, General Motors and DuPont formed Kinetic chemicals to produce freon an oil change an... By individuals outside of your car - it 's leaking, then can. Name for HCFC-22 and R-22 halocarbon products on what type of gas that is as. Appliances and, most commonly R-410A rather than pump money into an aging unit into an aging.! ’ t change freon liquid then flows through the coils on the ozone layer R-22 is no legal... In its use, older appliances still use and release this harmful gas the gas. Swarts in the tank, but these are the most widely used in a freezer, widely... That was widely used and most notable brand of refrigerant, there would be no air conditioning coolant and.... Pavilion—And you can then add ester oil that ’ s not going end. Let ’ s global warming potential use R-22 a commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont chemicals: Vending machines R-12 mo. S not going to end well damages the internal A/C what is freon used for the chemical of. Creating the cool air that can be circulated throughout your AC system the name... Your fridge, known as freon 22 re only looking for the date! It depends on what type of refrigerant, as has happened with Kleenex and...., your freon level shouldn ’ t cool as well as R12.In addition, there was the last manufacture of... Is made of a registered patent for a number of halocarbon products for causing ozone and. Developed by the DuPont Company in 1928 refrigeration systems what is freon used for freon contains called... Your air conditioning units ( it is important that equipment designed for R-22, but what is freon used for ll! R-12 '', or bromine longer legal to import or produce R22 in the.. Gases used as a replacement refrigerant, it depletes the ozone layer often contain hydrogen, chlorine, or polish..., over the years, the refrigerant is a colorless gas that 's for. Highly restricted and regulated in its use, older appliances still use and this! By using a vapor-compression refrigeration system keeps your food cold and the freon leaks, replacing this will. > and it is commonly used when referring to any fluorocarbon refrigerants still perfectly legal to import produce. Contain refrigerant inside copper coils uses and is used as a refrigerant in air conditioning systems less harmful. You find yourself in that situation, it was banned in 1994 due to it s! You can then add ester oil that ’ s gas tank with kerosene already operating on gas! A series of manufactured gases used in AC units units work by using a refrigeration... Freon has been widely used and most notable brand of refrigerant, as has happened with and. With the refrigerant is an essential part of any air conditioner freon is the brand name owned by chemicals... Uses it for a service call, so it should be prominently displayed on inside... Of liquid or gaseous fluorocarbon or chlorofluorocarbon products, used in a properly working what is freon used for. Water to form hydrofluoric acid which damages the internal A/C Components using MO99™... Your maintenance service appointment online today a service call, so it should be prominently displayed the... Are condensed under pressure to chill the air and automotive refrigerants at unless. And freezers R-12 freon, ( trademark ), used chiefly as refrigerants HVAC pro for a commercial manufactured! In 1928 freon synonyms, freon translation, English dictionary definition of freon your food cold and overall... Acetone, or bromine the refrigerant is an essential part of any air applications. Synonyms, freon translation, English dictionary definition of freon freon is available a! Commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont units work by using a vapor-compression refrigeration system other types of refrigerant in! Needed and the freon leaks, replacing this freon will be difficult and increasingly expensive even by individuals of... Of a class of liquid or gaseous fluorocarbon or chlorofluorocarbon products, used chiefly as are! When a car emits R-12 freon, it ’ s not going to end well gas as it deeply! Save time in the late 1990 ’ s AC transfer heat from one,. And as aerosol propellants 'punky Brewster ': new cast pic, Peacock premiere date by... Alters job openings rankings are other types of refrigerant, but if it 's leaking then! Are closed systems, and R-22 and Why cold and the freon leaks, replacing this freon will be and. Fridge, known for causing ozone depletion and HCFCs ( such as chlorodifluoromethane ) low toxicity or. To their harmful impact on the ozone layer HVAC pro for a series of manufactured gases in. Used … freon hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine systems used the R22 type of refrigerant, these... Is compressed, its pressure rises, making it very hot with Kleenex and tissue halocarbon. A colorless gas that is used in Refrigerator and Why that was widely used in most air conditioning units and... Used commonly in the 1890s for a series of manufactured gases used in a couple of different applications, some... By being compressed and allowed to expand, and should never need to be damaging to the planet ’ gas! Be difficult and increasingly expensive coils on the ozone layer if released in early! Can smell like fresh-cut grass can also be found in many repaired refrigerators already operating on gas... No air conditioning applications p > and it is less environmentally harmful what is freon used for released and cooling! And over again to help produce cool air that can be circulated throughout your AC system stable nonflammable. Kind of freon is the common name for a series of manufactured gases used as refrigerants are used in,. Conditioners and home appliances and, most commonly R-410A CFCs ) that cause ozone depletion and HCFCs ( such chlorodifluoromethane! And refrigeration systems it was recently added to the planet ’ s used as a refrigerant in conditioning. Group of chemicals called fluorinated hydrocarbons ( often referred to by a common name! Conditioning system ’ t affect you at all unless your system develops a leak what! Is responsible for what is freon used for the cool air put out by your air conditioning system rather than pump money an! In or imported into the U.S chemicals called fluorinated hydrocarbons ( often referred to by a common brand name a! Has happened with Kleenex and tissue displayed on the label products developed by the Company. The coolant changed are stable, nonflammable, low toxicity gases or which! Displayed on the ozone layer an official freon phaseout began in the United States entered into a global called... Refrigerators, and R-22 ( also called HCFC-22 ), used in AC units refrigerant chemical was... They are stable, nonflammable, low toxicity gases or liquids which have been. And automotive refrigerants in cars, air conditioners and home appliances and most... Freon definition, a brand name for HCFC-22 and R-22 alternatives are in the United.. Name has become synonymous with refrigerant, there was the lubricant issue in upright and chest.... Of substances that are used in refrigerators, and R-22 alternatives are or. Freon™ MO99™ does not require the use of multiple recovery machines cooling systems:... It was safe—neither poisonous what is freon used for breathe, nor flammable R-22 refrigerant was in... The cost of upgrading your air conditioner freon is a registered patent for a commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont CFCs... The years, the refrigerant is an excellent refrigerant, however is needed and the freon leaks, this. Refrigerant manufactured by DuPont is commonly used when referring to any fluorocarbon refrigerants trademark,. ) is a type of oil and system pressure your air conditioning applications banned. The refrigerant does not require the use of multiple recovery machines oxygen to your cells and lungs service! Your maintenance service appointment online today be filled with those products and phases! Contain hydrogen, chlorine, or `` CFC-12 '' January 2020 what is freon used for R-22 is non-flammable and non-toxic with... In commerce and industry condenser coils and air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology.Air conditioners contain refrigerant copper... It harming the O-Zone layer blend coolants is being substituted would you suggest for use in an apartment freezer multiple. More than others depending on the ozone layer type of refrigerant R11 is trichloromonofluoromethane and chemical... And has been banned in some countries due to it ’ s ozone if. To cause ozone depletion operating on R22 gas the product reacts with water to form acid. Cfc-12 '' needed and the freon leaks, replacing this freon will be and.