Types of Refrigerants Used in Commercial Air Conditioning Units

Refrigerant is a chemical compound that helps air conditioners do their job by absorbing heat from the air inside a home or business and leaving cool air behind. Knowing the different types of refrigerants used in commercial air conditioning systems can help business owners comply with refrigerant regulations and make eco-friendly choices when purchasing new HVAC equipment.

Read about some of the most common types of refrigerants used for commercial air conditioning, including details on what they’re made of and their environmental impact, in today’s blog from Omnia360 Facility Solutions.

R-12

This type of refrigerant is methane-based and is made with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals that contain carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. R-12 is known to contribute to global warming and, therefore, was banned in 1994. However, if you have older HVAC equipment, it may still use R-12 refrigerant.

R-22

This type of refrigerant is also known as Freon. It’s made with CFCs, but it contains less chlorine, so it’s less harmful to the environment. Although it’s not as dangerous as R-12, it’s not considered “eco-friendly” by any means and will be phased out by 2030 due to international environmental concerns.

R-290

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly commercial air conditioning refrigerant, R-290 is a good option. It’s propane-based and flammable (which affects its ability to be shipped), but it adheres to the EPA’s SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) program.

R-410A

This type of chlorine-free refrigerant is made with industrial chemicals called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It’s also known as Puron. It was developed as an alternative to Freon. In comparison, Puron is more eco-friendly and also more efficient than Freon.

R-513a

This type of refrigerant is another eco-friendly option for commercial air conditioning. It’s a hydro-fluoro olefin (HFO)-based refrigerant, organic compounds made of fluorine, hydrogen, and carbon. Also known as Option XP10, R-513a is a highly efficient refrigerant option for air conditioning and is unknown to harm the earth’s ozone layer.

Need Help Choosing Refrigerant For Your Commercial Air Conditioning Needs?

Contact Omnia 360 Facility Solutions. Our licensed HVAC technicians can offer trustworthy guidance to help you make the best choice for your business. We offer customized HVAC services and packages to meet the unique needs of your business and budget, so if you’d like a quote or you want to schedule service, call us today.