This allows the gas to absorb heat and lower the air inside the room or building. It has become so common, that we often call ALL brands of refrigerant Freon, even if they are a different brand. The harvesting of Freon is not a challenging task, but there are a lot of “old-school” contractors who just let it vent into the atmosphere. specialist who may utilize auto-dial technology to contact you, even if the number you provided is on a do Simply answer a few additional questions about your home and Companies have quoted prices ranging from $35 to $175 per pound for R-22. We've got you covered! We value your privacy. The good news is that new air conditioning systems made since 2010 no longer rely on Freon. See more about how it does this in How does an air conditioner work? That being said, we are nevertheless often asked by our clients what some of these terms mean, like what is a condenser, or what does HVAC stand for? The Freons are colourless, odourless, nonflammable, noncorrosive gases or liquids of low toxicity that were introduced as refrigerants in the 1930s; they also proved useful as propellants for aerosols and in numerous technical applications. When it is deeply inhaled, it can cut off vital oxygen to your cells and lungs. See also chlorofluorocarbon. Although Freon is a brand name, it has come to be referred to in the HVAC industry as a synonym for “refrigerant.” Freon is a medium toxic but stable halocarbon – what this means, I have no idea but that is why I write articles for the everyday person and leave the smart-talk for my partner, Mike. R-134A is made of a single component and is not blended like most R-12 and R-22 alternatives are. As of January 2020, R-22 is no longer made in or imported into the U.S. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Freon is a tradema rked bran d name of air conditioning refrigerant created by DuPont. Every air conditioning system needs a refrigerant (also called a coolant) that actually creates the cool air -- that's the role of Freon. Now, regardless of which side you sit on with regards to the ozone debate, if your contractor gets caught venting Freon without a good reason then he, and in Santa Clarita you could be held liable. 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. CFCs have been used in refrigeration and aerosol cans for many years, but in 1974, a researcher at the University of California hypothesized that CFCs were destroying the ozone layer. Older systems used the r22 type of refrigerant, known for depleting the Earth’s ozone layer. As of 2020, it’s no longer legal to import or produce r22 in the United States. For decades R22 (Freon) was the industry standard for A/C refrigerant, but it’s now illegal to manufacture or import R22 (and R142b) gas into the United States. In addition to fluorine and carbon, Freons often contain hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. 5 Tips You Must Know When Choosing an HVAC Contractor. we will generate a comprehensive report for you. How to Fix Your Iced Up Air Conditioner, What Size Central Air Conditioner Do I Need for My House? How Freon works. Everything you need to know about Freon, refrigerants and CFCs. Freon is the name of a registered patent for a commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont. Because of this, working with the refrigerant does not require the use of multiple recovery machines. 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. Freon synonyms, Freon pronunciation, Freon translation, English dictionary definition of Freon. For decades, Freon, also known as HCFC-22 and R-22, was the main refrigerant chemical used in residential air conditioning units and heat pumps. If you can believe it, one of the most frequent questions we are asked on installations is, “what is freon made of?”. Simply put, our results speak for themselves, and we'd be happy to help. Freon is a colorless gas that is also known as R-22. This is one of the many reasons that it is so important to hire a licensed HVAC contractor and ensure that this is done properly. Your Food Feels Warm. Refrigerant Definition: A refrigerant is a compound that can readily absorb heat at one temperature, then compressed by a heat pump to a higher temperature and pressure where it changes phase and discharges the absorbed heat. The gas is then recompressed and this process begins a… Freon and other refrigerants are short lived though, because there are new and exciting technologies which will be hitting the air conditioning industry in the next few years which are completely safe for the environment, and the great part is that they also lower your electric bill by around 40 to 80 percent! A DuPont refrigerant A refrigerant is a substance or mixture, usually a fluid, used in a heat pump and refrigeration cycle. Don’t be afraid to contact ASM with any additional questions you might have – we are always happy to help with any of your air conditioning or heating needs. Freon, (trademark), any of several simple fluorinated aliphatic organic compounds that are used in commerce and industry. Moreover, the servicing of R22 systems is now limited to the use of recycled or stockpiled quantities of Freon. Back in the lab, a new refrigerant was developed, tetrafluoroethane. By the early 1990s, accumulating evidence of ozone depletion in the polar regions had heightened worldwide public alarm over the problem, and by 1996 most developed countries had banned the production of nearly all Freons. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. What is Freon made of? listen to you, understand your current situation, and provide your consultation at no obligation. Breathing air that is contaminated with Freon can cause respiratory difficulties, organ damage and, in some cases, death. As Through the 1980s, Freon™ was used in a wide variety of applications, until growing evidence suggested that it was contributing to damage in the ozone layer which protects the Earth. The University of Virginia - 2005 / The Wharton School of Finance - 2016 / U.S. The construction industry is filled with all sorts of language that can make the layman cringe at the thought of it. Freon, (trademark), any of several simple fluorinated aliphatic organic compounds that are used in commerce and industry. A representative from NextGen Air (BBB A+ rated) will be calling you shortly to confirm your appointment. The U.S. government has placed restrictions on R22 and has issued the requirement that R22 refrigerant must be eliminated from use in cooling systems by the year 2020. In most cycles it undergoes phase transitions from a liquid to a gas and back again. Before we even know what CFCs were and how they hurt the ozone layer it was common practice to release the Freon directly into the air! Freon, CFCs and halocarbons – so when you ask a question like “what is Freon made of,” getting a direct answer is hard. Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville. To help protect the ozone layer, the EPA has mandated that the production of Freon be stopped by January 2020. The Heat Pump Crash Course from ASM-air, At What Temperature is a Heat Pump Not Effective? Refrigerant poisoning can occur if a person inhales or consumes the chemicals — also known by the brand name of Freon — from cooling appliances, … At All Systems Mechanical air conditioning and heating, we believe that the experience our clients have is every bit as important as the products they receive. Try our online calculator; click the tab on the top of this page for more information. The Freons neither present a fire hazard nor give off a detectable odour in their circulation through refrigerating and air-conditioning systems. As such, I figured that our blog was the perfect forum for answering some of these questions. Heat Pump Temperature Ranges. Freon is a tasteless, mostly odorless gas. The most important members of the group have been dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon 12), trichlorofluoromethane (Freon 11), chlorodifluoromethane (Freon 22), dichlorotetrafluoroethane (Freon 114), and trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon 113). The result is low-pressure Freon gas. Many working fluids have been used for such purposes. how much the units will cost, and the Air conditioner freon is responsible for cooling your car - it's a key component of your car's A/C. not call registry. Freon is a non-combustible gas that is used as a refrigerant in air conditioning applications. The Freon liquid then flows through an expansion valve, which causes it to cool down until it evaporates. Freon is a colorless, non-flammable substance, but if it's leaking, then it can smell like fresh-cut grass. fair rate you should spend for the total project. Most refrigeration units depend on the chemical reactions of refrigerant gas … If you have a spouse or partner, we recommend you both participate in your estimate/service appointment. For immediate assistance you may call (855) 715-4500. Top 10 Heat Pump Brands of 2020 - Which is the Best Heat Pump Brand? If you are interested in this new DEVAP technology and more environmentally friendly refrigerant technology, take a look at this: New Commercial Air Conditioning Technology – DEVAP, In the end, Freon is just the name of a commercial refrigerant manufactured by a company, and even though it is kind of like calling all chicken nuggets “Chicken McNuggets,” it has become a part of the air conditioner lingo – at least now you know. CFCs have been used in refrigeration and aerosol cans for many years, but in 1974, a researcher at the University of California hypothesized that CFCs were destroying the ozone layer. Freon is a colorless gas that is also known as R-22. That comes with a caveat, though. I remember what it was like when I started in the HVAC industry and I felt like people were speaking a foreign language – a language I didn’t understand. Freon is the cooling agent used in most air conditioning systems. Freon is the brand name for a series of manufactured gases used as refrigerants. To those in the know, these CFCs may sound familiar because they are better known for their controversial roll in the ongoing debate about ozone depletion, which is why all licensed HVAC contractors are required to harvest it upon the recharging of an AC unit instead of letting it empty into the atmosphere. How does an air conditioner work? Heat Pump Installation Cost 2019 - What's a Fair Price. Freon™ 22, also known commercially as R22 or HCFC-22, is widely available and is used by most older AC units. du Pont de Nemours & Company. Corrections? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Be an Insider, and Get Your HVAC-Facts Report Before You Talk to a Contractor. The long answer: What is Freon gas? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. “Freon” is simply a brand name owned by DuPont chemicals. The refrigerants used in your air conditioner are called chlorofluorocarbons, also known as CFCs. Freon™ MO99™ significantly lowers discharge temperatures, which may extend compressor life. Updates? HVAC Installation Cost 2019 - What's a Fair Price for a New Heating and Air Conditioning Installation? Although Freon is a brand name, it has come to be referred … In the mid-1970s, photochemical dissociation of Freons and related CFCs was implicated as a major cause of the apparent degradation of Earth’s ozone layer. Don’t worry, I think the same thing and I do this for a living. Kind of scary when you think about it, but how often do we look back at how things used to be done and cringe? AIR CONDITIONER FREON. A Short Consumer's Guide From ASM. We use Freon because it has a rather useful property that is important to the air conditioning industry – it creates a cooling effect when it evaporates. You also know that asking “what is Freon made of,” should actually be rephrased as, “what are refrigerants made of?”. Freon™ is a family of products developed by the DuPont company in 1928. Would you like to see the best local offers and seasonal specials in the Century area? Freon is a halocarbon that cycles through your A/C. "Freon" is a commonly known brand of refrigerant, though it is not a descriptive or generic term. Air Conditioner Won't Turn On - 5 Troubleshooting Steps for a Broken AC, What is a Heat Pump? If you have a question that you’d like answered in our blog, please contact ASM and we’d be happy to write you an article. Types of refrigerant: R22 Freon is a gas that's used for cooling. Most household air conditioning units work by using a vapor-compression refrigeration system. This report will tell you exactly Related to Freon: Freon 12 carbon tetrachloride A volatile liquid used as a solvent and cleaning agent (dry cleaning), and in fire extinguishers and refrigerants. Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up? Examples are R-22 and R-410A, both used heavily in the HVAC industry although people are in the process of changing to R-410A (known as Puron, which will not deplete the ozone layer). Your specialist will Joking aside, this means that it is slightly toxic though, which I will address below, but that it is chemically stable and will not react when mixed with other substances. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. This also means that when people ask “what is Freon gas,” they should instead be asking, “what is refrigerant and what is it made of?”. a brand name for any of a class of liquid or gaseous fluorocarbon or chlorofluorocarbon products, used chiefly as refrigerants. Most of us take it for granted that you can simply reach into the refrigerator … How Freon works. We want to make sure everyone's questions are answered. Thus, Freons are types of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and related compounds. Examples include R-12, often used in refrigerators, and R-22 (also called HCFC-22), used in home air conditioning units. When used in a freezer, it keeps your food cold and the overall temperature below freezing. Without refrigerant, there would be no air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology.Air conditioners contain refrigerant inside copper coils. With ozone depletion a top priority and today’s era of clean and green technologies, asking what is Freon made of, or what is Freon gas is a lot more common than it used to be. The name Freon is a trademark registered by E.I. Author of. According to Environmental Protection Agency regulations, any product using or recycling a blend requires a separate machine … Naval Aviator 2005-2015. So, now we know that Freon is just a common term used to refer to a commercial AC refrigerant. Your consent is not a condition to purchase any product or service. Dupont trademarked the name Freon. Chloro-what? They are extremely stable, inert compounds. Freon is the name of a registered patent for a commercial refrigerant manufactured by DuPont. You might also hear R22 refrigerant called by its chemical name, hydrochlorofluorocarbon 22 (HCFC-22). I am sad to say that the HVAC industry is probably one of the worst offenders in the construction industry. Click Here to See If You Are in ASM’s Service Area. In 1987, the United States entered into a global agreement called the Montreal Protocol Link opens in a new tab . A haloalkane refrigerant with thermodynamic properties, Norflurane is more commonly referred to as R-134A. Refrigerant is a chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. If you're in the market for a new AC or furnace, make sure that you get a fair price! Freon is a refrigerant that cycles through liquid and gas phases, and works to regulate the temperature of your car. We'll call you shortly to confirm the time that works best for you. Depletion of the ozone could create a threat to animal life on Earth because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation that can induce skin cancer. The use of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosol-spray propellants was banned beginning in the late 1970s in places such as the United States, Canada, and Scandinavia. Omissions? what sized unit you will need, which brands consumers prefer, Purchasing Freon™ refrigerants by The Chemours Company provides a reliable supply of high-quality refrigerants to use in new equipment and retrofit opportunities, and to service installed air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Symptoms can vary depending on the extent of the Freon exposure, but even a small amount of exposure can cause serious symptoms in humans. But it’s used as a generic term for any air conditioning coolant. R22 refrigerant has been used for years in central air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-splits, car AC systems, and other refrigeration equipment. It’s the key to absorbing and removing heat from a space. It facilitates easy retrofitting in which the technician simply recovers the R-22, replaces critical seals, charges the Freon™ MO99™ refrigerant, and monitors for leaks. Most residential air-conditioning units contain the standard R-22 refrigerant, or freon. Copyright © 2018 Krankenwerks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. R-22 is non-flammable and non-toxic, with a fairly low heat transfer coefficient that makes it an ideal refrigerant for home AC use. The short answer: Freon is the commercial brand name of a refrigerant patented by DuPont. Converting to Freon™ MO99™ also: For more on choosing the right AC contractor, read 5 Tips You Must Know When Choosing an HVAC Contractor. In addition to fluorine and carbon, Freons often contain hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. By submitting this form, you consent to receive a call, email, or text from a The use of Freons in aerosol-spray containers was banned in the United States in the late 1970s. Dupont trademarked the name Freon. So you may or may not have Freon ™ refrigerant, but you definitely have some kind of refrigerant … Top 10 Air Conditioner Brands of 2019 - What is the Best Air Conditioner Brand? R22 refrigerant, sometimes known as R22 Freon or HCFC-22 Freon, is an environmental danger because it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. The cold gas is then channeled through another set of coils. I would wager that most licensed contractors do this properly, but just so you’re in the know, it wasn’t always done this way. This refrigerant remained popular until it was found to be damaging to the planet’s protective ozone layer. Thus, Freons are types of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and related compounds. Freon (R22 refrigerant or hydrochlorofluorocarbon [HCFC-22]) is a coolant that was commonly used in air conditioning systems until 2004. Last Modified Date: December 13, 2020 A refrigerant is a chemical used in cooling systems for mechanical devices such as refrigerators, walk-in freezers, or air conditioners. Their low boiling points, low surface tension, and low viscosity make them especially useful refrigerants. Save money here on your Heating and AC system! Hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( HCFCs ), and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica manufactured gases as... Key component of your car your appointment on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get stories. The layman cringe at the thought of it freon pronunciation, freon translation, English dictionary of! 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