Refrigerant

Air conditioning technology is powered by refrigerant — a compound typically found in a fluid or gaseous state. A refrigerant works by absorbing heat from the environment, which combined with other components like compressors and evaporators help to create cool air.

Air conditioners contain refrigerant inside inner copper coils, as the refrigerant absorbs heat from inside, it transitions from its state as a gas, to a liquid. This liquid is sent outside, where a fan blows hot air over the coils and exhausts to the outside.

From there, the refrigerant cools and turns back into a gas. A fan then blows air over the cooled coils, resulting in cool air being blown out of the unit and throughout your home. This cycle is repeated over and again during the cooling process.

R-410A*

R410A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) refrigerant, that was viewed as safer for the environment than R22. It has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) of 2,090, meaning that if one kilogram is released into the atmosphere, it would have 2,090 times the impact of one kilogram of carbon. R410A has an ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) of 0.

*NOTE: As of January 2019, R-410A is banned in the state of California and is no longer available to be used or sold in CA.

R-32

R32 is also an HFC refrigerant that many air conditioning manufacturers are adopting for its performance in regard to the environment, energy consumption, efficiency and safety. Compared to R410A, R32 has a GWP of 675 — about 30% lower. Both refrigerants have an ODP of 0.

Why switch from R410A to R32?

R32 is quickly becoming the refrigerant of choice for today’s manufacturers.