Freon® and Your HVAC System

cooling coils inside a cooling unit

My Air Conditioning System Isn’t Cooling.  Do I Need Refrigerant?

The refrigerant in your HVAC system is a key part of the heat transfer process that cools the air.  The process works by transferring heat from the air to a liquid-state refrigerant.  As the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air, it turns into a gas.  The gas-state refrigerant then releases the heat to the outdoor air which, in turn, changes the gas refrigerant back into a liquid.  The refrigerant continuously cycles through the system to remove and release heat.

Refrigerant is cycled through a part of your HVAC system that is sealed to prevent the refrigerant from escaping the system.  By design, the refrigerant levels in your HVAC system should never decrease unless

  • The system has a leak
  • The refrigerant from your HVAC system is being intentionally removed by someone
  • The system was installed incorrectly

In most cases, low refrigerant in an air conditioning system is caused by a leak.  The technicians of And Services are specially trained to locate and repair refrigerant leaks.

Why Would I Change the Refrigerant in My HVAC System?

Since the early 1920s, the family of Freon® refrigerants has been used in both automotive and residential applications.  In 1990, the Clean Air Act changed the legacy of Freon® products from a popular choice for HVAC systems to a product that is tied to ozone depletion.  Part of the legislation requires that Freon® usage be phased out and new alternatives be developed, such as

  • Forane® 410A
  • ENETRON AZ-20®
  • Puron®
  • SUVA 410A®

I Keep Hearing About Puron®.  What is It?

Puron® is an alternative refrigerant that was developed by Carrier Corporation, a large HVAC manufacturer.  Practical experience in both residential applications and scientific research performed by the company has made Puron® today’s most popular refrigerant option.  Puron® offers a reduced cost to operate through both higher energy efficiency and lower cost of maintenance.

Can I Convert My Older System to Puron®?

The legislation does not require homeowners to convert their older systems to alternative refrigerants.  As such, converting your system is a personal choice that may be based upon reducing

  • Environmental impact of your HVAC system
  • Cost of maintenance (Freon® is more expensive due to the phase out)

In 2020, though, the legislation requires that manufacture of Freon® stop completely, and you will not be able to purchase Freon® for your older system.  If the Freon® levels in the HVAC system remain constant over the lifetime of the unit, you will not need to convert the system.  Should your system develop a leak, though, you will need to replace the system because Freon® will no longer be available.

Unfortunately, converting your older system to a new alternative refrigerant is much more complicated than just replacing the existing refrigerant.  Puron® requires an HVAC system that can handle higher pressures, so you may need to replace the

  • Compressor
  • Evaporator
  • Condenser
  • Copper lines

The system must also be completed flushed to remove the Freon® completely as the two refrigerants will not work well together.  Any water must also be removed, and the system must be thoroughly evaluated for any leaks.

If you are considering converting your current system to Puron® or purchasing a modern, higher efficiency system that uses Puron®, contact And Services.  We will send a technician to your home to help you make the right choice for your home and family.  We carry a full line of replacement parts for Puron® conversions as well as today’s top HVAC products.

by AND Services