What Refrigerant is Used in Air Conditioners?
May 29th, 2019 by adtrak.adminA refrigerant is typically bought in a gaseous or liquid state and is a working fluid which readily absorbs heat from its surrounding environment, making it perfect for use in an air conditioner. Without a refrigerant, an air conditioner will cease to work, making it an important component of the appliance.
How does refrigerant work?
An air conditioner works by placing refrigerant fuel inside of copper coils, which absorbs heat from the surrounding air, turning refrigerant gas into liquid. A fan then blows the now cooled air into the room to lower the temperature. Once the refrigerant has reached liquid form, it passes through the copper coils where it rests to cool down, thereby returning to its gaseous form, and returning to the copper coils. This process continues until the desired temperature has been reached. There are three main types of refrigerants that have been used in air conditioners over the years, these being:
- CFCs – This type of refrigerant is proven to contribute to the greenhouse gas effect which lead to production being brought to a halt in 1994.
- HCFCs – Considerably less damaging to the environment than CFCs, but was also phased out during the 2010 clean air act, projected to be completely gone by 2020.
- HFCs – This is the most environmentally friendly fuel for an air conditioner as it doesn’t have chlorine in it. Most people use this fuel instead of the popular R22 which is classed as an HCFC. This fuel tends to be more efficient than the others and offers better air quality and reliability.
Older air conditioners tend to run on the more environmentally damaging refrigerant, so we recommend buying a newer model if your air conditioner is over a decade old to benefit from a range of perks.
Advantages of the newer air conditioners
- Reduced energy consumption
In the last few decades, air conditioners have come a long way in their design and performance. One of the biggest weaknesses of air conditioners previously was their low energy efficiency, but the newer models now come with a high efficiency rating, reducing your household bills and carbon footprint. - Improved indoor air quality
Previously air conditioning was renowned for drying air out spreading dust around the home, but now they are fitted with cleaning aids, which clean the air that is blown through the appliance. This helps reduce asthma attacks and lowers your exposure to indoor allergens. - Increased comfort and security
By using air conditioning you’ll keep your windows shut, thereby increasing the security of your home and preventing insects from entering your home. This will give you more peace of mind when relaxing in your home, knowing you are breathing clean air without having to open your windows. You’ll also get better sleep in colder conditions, which has been scientifically proven in many studies!
Here at Airedale Cooling Services, we pride ourselves in delivering first-rate air cooling services with competitive prices. For more information on our products and services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!