The article is about when and why R-22 /  Freon) was banned in the U.S and worldwide.  Then our article discusses the upcoming ban on R-410A — the refrigerant that replaced Freon, and new refrigerants in use today.  

Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.    Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.

When & Why R-22 /  Freon Was Banned In The U.S. & Worldwide

And Now — R-410A (Freon’s Replacement) — Will Be Banned & Phased Out Beginning In 2021.

Image Source: DreamsTime

Older Residential A/C Used R-22 / Freon Refrigerant.  It has been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Newer Residential A/C Use R-134A Refrigerant.   Starting in 2021, R-134A will be banned and phased out in a similar manner as Freon^® was.

Some History On Freon^® / R-22 Refrigerant

In 1914 the first residential air conditioner was installed private home.  A Minneapolis millionaire named Charles Gates hired Willis Carrier (founder of Carrier Corporation) to install an air conditioner in his mansion. That a/c unit was 7 feet high, 6 feet wide, and 20 feet long.  By 1965 — only 10% of American homes had air conditioning.  By 2007, 86% percent of homes had AC (according to the Carrier Corporation).

Click Here To See One Of The Earliest Carrier A/C Units:  One Of The Earliest Carrier A/C Units

The first air conditioners used toxic or flammable gases such as ammonia or propane gas.  These refrigerants were dangerous if leaked, and could result in injuries or fatal accidents.   In 1928, ChloroFluoroCarbon (CFC) refrigerants were created.  They were the first non-flammable refrigerants, and greatly improved the safety of air conditioners.    Decades later, scientists discovered the chlorine in CFC & HCFC refrigerants was damaging to the ozone layer.  As a result, R-22 was banned and phased out of production worldwide.

• R-22 / Freon^® :  On January 1, 2020 Freon was banned by The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because it damaged the ozone layer.   R-22 was used in nearly all cooling devices at the time of the ban, so it was eliminated with a step-by-step phase-out.  In 2020, all production and importing of Freon was banned.

If you have an air conditioner that was manufactured before January 1, 2010, it likely uses Freon^® refrigerant.     Starting January 1, 2020 — all remaining cooling equipment that uses R-22 refrigerant must depend on existing stockpiles of new Freon^®— or reclaimed R-22 refrigerant (removed from old systems).   If R-22 cooling equipment needs to be recharged, it will become increasingly expensive.

NOTE: The ban on R-22 refrigerant doesn’t prohibit homeowners from continuing to use their Freon ^®/ R-22 air conditioning systems. 

R-22 / Freon Was Banned Worldwide.

Now, R-410A — The Refrigerant That Replaced Freon^® Is Also Being Phased Out.

Image Source: ShutterStock

In 2016, nearly 200 nations (including the U.S.) agreed in to phase out most of the refrigerants currently used in existing A/C systems.  The phase out recognized the complicated choices that will need to be made to select replacement refrigerants.

• R-22 / Freon was banned because it harmed the ozone layer above the earth.  Freon was replaced by R-410A (one common brand name is Puron^®).  R-410A is a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC) refrigerant.

• HydroFluoroCarbons (HFC’s) don’t contain Chlorine — they have high Global Warming Potential (GWP).  GWP is a measurement of how much heat a gas traps within the atmosphere.  Carbon Dioxide (CO2) has a GWP of 1.   R410A has a GWP of 2,088.   This means if R-410A refrigerant is released into the atmosphere — it has 2,088 times the ability to trap heat than Carbon Dioxide.

• Starting in 2021, HFC refrigerants will be begin to be phased out in a similar manner as how R-22 / Freon was banned and phased out.

• Beginning on January 1, 2021 — the EPA will ban and begin to phase out these refrigerants; R410A,  R404A, & R134a (R134a is for automotive) in some newly manufactured products. 

• Flammable “retrofit” refrigerants (to replace R-22 / Freon) in older residential A/C & Heat Pumps in the U.S. — have been banned.
• Freon^® is non-flammable.  A/C’s & heat pumps designed to use Freon — are not designed to use flammable refrigerants.  Replacements refrigerants for Freon was banned too.

• Flammable “retrofit” refrigerants (to replace R410A) in newer residential A/C & Heat Pumps in the U.S. — have been banned
• R410A is non-flammable.  A/C’s & heat pumps designed for R410a — are not designed to use flammable refrigerants.

• Large Commercial A/C: R410A is banned as of Jan 1, 2024– a phaseout will begin.
• Large, commercial A/C can never use flammable refrigerants.  The fire-hazard risk is too high because they contain a lot of refrigerant.

Refrigerant Designations & Definitions:

• Class 1: Non-Flammable: Refrigerants are non-flammable at room temperature.

• Class 2: Mildly-Flammable: Refrigerants have a limited ability to create a fire.
• They can be ignited by open flames.  They can’t be ignited by; electrical motors, electrical switches, or electric-resistance heating devices — such as toasters, & space heaters. **

• Sub-Class 2L– Mildly Flammable Plus Some Flame-Suppression Characteristics.
• Example: When a smoldering cigarette is introduced into 2L refrigerant —  the cigarette quickly extinguishes.
• Example:  Under some circumstances — when a 2L refrigerant is introduced to a burning candle — the flame extinguishes.

• Class 3 — Flammable: If these refrigerants come in contact with an ignition source — it can result in a jet flame .
• A jet flame is a turbulent flame going in a particular direction(s) *4
• Class 3 refrigerants ignite more easily and create more heat — resulting in a greater fire hazard. *3

• Combustible:  Same definition as flammable.
• Explosive:  Can create an explosion.

EXAMPLE:

• Liquid gasoline won’t burn and can’t be ignited.
• Gasoline mixed with air burns and can cause an explosion.  It takes only 1.4% gasoline mixed with air before the gasoline-vapors can ignit with an explosive force. **

** Source: http://wyomingworkforce.org/_docs/osha/toolbox/facts-about-gas.pdf

*3 Source: https://heatpumpingtechnologies.org/news/1/54467/

*4 Source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/strategy/jet.htm

Some Newly Manufactured Cooling Products Have Already Changed To New Refrigerants

After Freon was banned, the air conditioning industry started looking for new products to replace Freon.

• Window A/C’s:  Almost half of window air conditioning units sold in the U.S. during 2018 used R-32 refrigerant.  R-32 is mildly flammable.
• R32 refrigerant is currently used is many or all residential air conditioners models made under these brands: Fujitsu General, Daikin, Hitachi, LG,  Midea / Artic King, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Sharp, & Toshiba.

• U.S. built refrigerators using R-410A refrigerant are banned starting January 1, 2021.
• HC-600a is currently the leading refrigerant for new U.S. built refrigerators.
• HC-600a is a blend of 50% isobutane (highly flammable) and 50% HFC-134a (non-flammable).
• HC-600a has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3.

• These newer window A/C & refrigerators were designed & built to use flammable refrigerants.
• Using flammable refrigerant in these products is accepted — because there is a small amount of refrigerant.
• Using flammable refrigerant in these products is accepted — because they are not expected to ever be recharged like central A/C & Heat Pumps.
• Recharging a Central A/C or Heat Pump that uses flammable refrigerants requires special training & certification.  It’s called “F-Gas Certification”.  **

** Source: https://fgasregister.com/flammable-refrigerants-training-course

Note:

• Butane / Isobutane gas are similar to propane gas.
• Propane is classified as LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
• The difference between butane / isobutane and LPG is — LPG’s lowest liquid-to-gas conversion temperature is -44°F.  This is why LPG is used as a heating fuel.

• For butane gas — its lowest liquid-to-gas conversion temperature is +31°F.
• Gas-burning devices can’t burn a liquid (the fuel must be in the form of a gas).
• LPG powers gas-burning devices where natural gas isn’t available.

Image Source: ShutterStock

Shown: In rural areas, homes use LP Gas that’s stored in large tanks in the lawn near the house.

• 5-Gallon L.P. gas tanks are sold in many locations for use with outdoor gas grills.

Shown: 5-Gallon L.P. (empty) Gas Tank

Image Source: Amazon.com

Click On Image To; View Product, See Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

Source: https://ozone.unep.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/RTOC-assessment-report-2018_0.pdf

Source: https://heatpumpingtechnologies.org/us-epa-confirms-future-restrictions-on-high-gwp-refrigerants/

New Refrigerants That May Replace R-410A

OLD REFRIGERANTS

Refrigerant            Global-Warming Potential (GWP)      Ozone-Depletion Potential     Flammability 

R-22/Freon^®                      1810                                                                              .055                                                 Banned in the U.S.

R410A                                 2088                                                                              0                                                       Non-Flammable              Note: 410A Will Be Banned & Phased Out Starting Jan 2, 2021 — due to high GWP.

Ammonia /R717             0                                                                              o                                                      B2L — Lower Flammability.  “B” is assigned (instead of “A”) — due to ammonia’s toxicity.  **

Ammonia As A Refrigerant

• Ammonia as a refrigerant was first used in 1876.  When Freon^® was invented — ammonia came under pressure because it’s mildly flammable — Freon^®  was not.
• Ammonia is used as a refrigerant today — in industrial, refrigeration installations.   It is 3-10% more energy efficient than R-134A or Freon^®.

Ammonia is made of:

• 3 parts Hydrogen (a colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas).  Hydrogen’s flammability is 4 — the highest rating on the flammability scale.  Ammonia has a mildly flammability rating — due to the hydrogen.

WITH

• 1 part Nitrogen (a colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas).  Nitrogen represents 78% of the earth’s atmosphere.

As A Refrigerant — Ammonia Offers These Advantages:

• Refrigeration-Grade ammonia is 99.9% pure ammonia.

• Ammonia is naturally occurring — with a GWP = 0 and Ozone-Depletion Value = 0.

• Ammonia refrigeration systems are more energy-efficient.  Ammonia is approximately 15-20% more efficient than today’s refrigerants.

• Ammonia is inexpensive, and not as flammable some refrigerants in use today (such as propane and butane.

Exposure To Refrigeration-Grade Ammonia — Is Toxic, And Can Be Lethal

When reading the benefits above for using ammonia as a refrigerant — a fair question might be: “So why not use ammonia in residential HVAC?”

In August 1992 — An accident was caused when forklift struck and ruptured a ammonia refrigerant-pipe in a meat packing plant in the Chicago, IL area.  Employees were evacuated from the building.   A short time later, an explosion caused extensive damage, including large holes in two sides of the building. The forklift was believed to be the source of ignition.

In August of 2010 — Approximately 150 people were taken to the hospital, with thirty-two checked into the hospitalized, when a rupture occurred in an ammonia-refrigerant system in a cold-storage facility in Alabama.  32,000 pounds of ammonia leaked into the air when the refrigeration system experienced a sudden, localized pressure-surge that caused catastrophic-failure of refrigerant piping.  The pressure-surge was due to too many of facility’s cooling evaporators going into their defrost cycle at the same time.  ***

On Aug 31, 2013 — 15 people died and 26 others were injured when a liquid ammonia leak (caused by a failed fan motor which struck a refrigerant-pipe) in the refrigeration unit at a cold storage facility in Shanghai.

Though these accidents are rare, their consequences were substantial.   These accidents shed light on how dangerous ammonia can be when used as a refrigerant.  This is why ammonia-based residential a/c is not available.

** Source:  https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/7c14c7e7-6dbc-46b4-a016-5f2da5936d54/Ammonia.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

*** Source: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/accident_prevention_ammonia_refrigeration_5-20-15.pdf

Details Of Refrigerant-Grade Ammonia’s Toxicity & Fire Dangers

• Ammonia is considered a high health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs.

• At concentrations between 16% — 25%,  ammonia-vapors are a fire and explosion hazard.

• The temperature of liquid ammonia is -27°F.   Exposure to liquid ammonia causes severe frostbite if it comes in direct contact with the skin.

• If ammonia is; breathed, swallowed or makes contact with skin,  it reacts with water to produce ammonium hydroxide.  It’s very corrosive and damages human cells on contact.

• The strongest reaction occurs with moist body surfaces, such as the mucous-membranes and eyes.

• Inhaling pure ammonia can damage the respiratory tracts and lungs.

• Symptoms of minor ammonia poisoning include; a feeling of suffocation,  breathing difficulties, dizziness, a burning sensation in the throat, stomach ache and vomiting.

• Extended exposure to liquid ammonia damages the respiratory and digestive organs.

• Ammonia contamination at a level above 300 PPM or higher are life threatening.

• The severity of ammonia’s negative health effects depends on; Type of exposure,  Amount of ammonia, and Length of exposure.

** Source:  https://www.refcom.org.uk/media/1202/an-introduction-to-a2l-refrigerants-final.pdf

*3 Source:https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/chemical_terrorism/ammonia_general.htm

NEWER REFRIGERANTS

Refrigerant            Global-Warming Potential (GWP)      Ozone-Depletion Potential     Flammability 

R454B   Opteon™            466                                                                                0                                           Lower Flammability        Note: Carrier HVAC selected R454B for new residential HVAC starting in 2023.

R-32                                    675                                                                                0                                           Medium Flammability

HC-600a  CARE® 10          3                                                                                0                                           Higher Flammability.

NEWEST REFRIGERANT

(at the time this was written)

Refrigerant            Global-Warming Potential (GWP)      Ozone-Depletion Potential     Flammability 

R466A / Solstice N41^®               733                                                            0                                         Non-flammable.               Note: Can be used in all A/C systems because it’s non flammable.

R466A is the most environmentally-safe refrigerant that’s non-flammable.   It has a modest Global Warming Potential and O GWP.   R466A is made by HoneyWell.

In 2018, Honeywell unveiled Solstice® N41 / R-466A — a nonflammable, lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant for use in all air conditioning systems.  R-466A and an A1 (non flammable) designation.   The main reason for R-466A non-flammability is a relatively new refrigerant gas (trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) which has never been used in refrigerants.  CF3I is also a major contributor to the reduced GWP potential of R-466A.

In June, 2019 — Midea Group chose  R466A / Solstice N41^®   

• ** A strategic partnership between HoneyWell & Midea Group (a global, Chinese A/C manufacturer) is underway to replace R-410A refrigerant with R466 / Solstice N41^®  in HVAC applications with variable-speed central a/c and (commercial) chiller systems.
• R-466A is a non flammable & lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant for central air conditioning systems.  Only non flammable refrigerants can be used in large, commercial systems due to the quantity of refrigerant required.

** Source: https://www.fluorineproducts-honeywell.com/refrigerants/press-releases/honeywell-and-midea-team-up-to-validate-new-applications-for-air-conditioner-refrigerant/

• Toshiba- Carrier & Honeywell announced a partnership to determine the potential of Solstice^® N41 (R-466A*) as an alternative to R-410A — in Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems.

*3: Source: https://www.honeywell-refrigerants.com/europe/?press_release=toshiba-carrier-presents-solstice-n41-as-a-potential-replacement-for-r-410a-to-meet-kigali-requirements

Click Here To See A Complete List Of Refrigerants’ Ozone-Depleting & Global-Warming Potentials: List Of Refrigerants

Copy This Link Into Your Browser For EPA’s Acceptable Refrigerants: https://www.epa.gov/snap/snap-substitutes-sector

Source: https://www.airconditioning-systems.com/R32.html

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/uk-news/adopt-r32-face-r410a-chaos/

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/us-places-bans-on-r404a-and-r134a/

Source: https://www.bankskitchenboutique.co.za/blog/our-brands-midea

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/daikin-adopts-r32-for-key-us-products/

At Present — There Are No Brands of Residential Central HVAC That Use R466A / Solstice N41^®.   This will change with time.

With the ban and phase out of R410A beginning in 2021 — the HVAC equipment industry is working to create new refrigerants and Central A/C’s & Heat Pumps that will use R466A / Solstice N41^®  that — or an even new refrigerant not in production at the time this article was written.

The Focus For Upcoming, New Refrigerants Is:

• Non-flammable

• Low Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Summary:

After Freon was banned, the A/C refrigerant industry has been working quickly to develop new refrigerants which meet the requirements of No Ozone-Layer Damage Potential PLUS very low Global Warming Potential.  At present, the refrigerants with the no Ozone damage and very low GWP all have some degree of flammability.   Today’s best contender is Solstice^® N41 (R-466A*) as an replacement for R-410A.  But while R-466A has a modest GWP — demands for lower GWP refrigerants will continue to drive the development of newer refrigerants.

Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.    Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Richardson, TX; Garland, TX; and northeastern Dallas, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.