R-410A Refrigerant

What's R-410A?

R-410A is a chlorine-free, environmentally friendly, next-generation refrigerant. R-410A has replaced R-22 as the preferred refrigerant for use in residential and commercial air conditioners in Japan, Europe and the United States. Many refrigerants developed before R-410A contain chlorine, which may be harmful to the ozone layer.

R-410A is chlorine-free and therefore better for the environment. In fact, the Clean Air Act requires that as of 2010, all new air conditioning and heat pump units manufactured in North America will use chlorine-free refrigerants. So, by choosing an R-410A air conditioner or heat pump, you're getting the latest in refrigerant technology -- and helping the environment!

Why Was R-410A Developed?

R-410A was developed in response to an agreement between numerous countries (known as the Montreal Protocol) that stated that those countries would move toward discontinuing the use of hydrochloro-fluorocarbon (HCFC)-based refrigerants. HCFCs are widely accepted to be ozone-depleting chemical compounds, and R-410A, a non-HCFC-based refrigerant, is a much more environmentally friendly product.

How Can I Be Sure R-410A Is "The One"?

The first units built using R-410A were introduced in 1995. Today, all of the major manufacturers of residential HVAC equipment are building units that use R-410A. These companies have made the investments necessary in retooling their manufacturing facilities to build new units designed to work specifically with R-410A.

Parts designed specifically for R-410A must be used as R-410A operates at higher pressures than other refrigerants. Thus R-410A systems require service personnel to use different tools, equipment, safety standards and techniques. Equipment manufacturers require the certification of professionals installing R-410A systems. In addition the AC&R Safety Coalition has been created to help educate professionals about R-410A system.

R-22 Phaseout

In accordance with terms and agreement reached in the Montreal Protocol (The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) the United States Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that production or import of R-22 along with other (HCFCs) be phased-out in the United States. In EU and the USA, virgin R22 cannot be used for manufacture of new air conditioning or similar units from 1 January 2010. Today, all newly manufactured window unit air conditioners and central air conditioning systems in the United States come with R-410A. As an alternative to window-mounted systems, a ductless "split" system is available which also uses R-410A refrigerant.

R-410A - The New Standard