Air conditioners rely on several components to remove heat from indoor spaces, including refrigerant. As such, you might wonder, “Do new AC units use Freon?” Freon has a long history with air conditioning and refrigeration, so you may be surprised to learn about its inclusion in modern appliances.
We provide comprehensive AC services in Carpentersville, IL, at WeatherWise Heating & Cooling. Our team regularly deals with refrigerant-related cooling issues. Consult our guide below to learn more about Freon and how to tell if your air conditioning uses it.
What Is Freon and Its Role in Carpentersville Air Conditioning?
Carpentersville residents often use the terms “Freon” and “refrigerant” interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same thing. Freon, or R-22, is the brand name for halocarbon-based refrigerant gases used in air conditioning and freezers. It refers to chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which both contain chlorine, carbon, fluorine, and occasionally hydrogen.
So, how do Freon and other refrigerants work to cool homes and businesses? Refrigerants include chemical compounds that absorb and release heat. The chemical flows on a closed loop inside air conditioning coils. As it evaporates inside evaporator coils, it removes heat from indoor air, and it releases the heat when it changes back to its original liquid form in the outdoor condenser coil.
How To Tell If Your Air Conditioning Unit Uses Freon
Do new AC units use Freon? New air conditioners won’t have R-22, but older systems might. You can check your Carpentersville property’s air conditioner for Freon by looking for the appliance label.
Check for refrigerant codes R-12, R-134a, or R-600a. The first code refers to CFC Freon, and the second indicates a newer non-ozone-depleting refrigerant. The latter code is a non-Freon refrigerant that many newer, energy-efficient appliances use.
Another way to check for Freon in your cooling system is to find your unit’s manufacturing date. Equipment made before 1995 likely uses Freon.
Why Did the Government Ban Freon?
Although Freon was the go-to choice for air conditioners before 1996, the government began phasing it out in the 1990s. The chemical contains ozone-depleting gases, making it an environmental hazard. Freon leaks are also toxic to people.
The R-22 ban started in 1996 by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Montreal Protocol, which stopped the production and importation of CFC-based Freon. It was banned for new air conditioners in 2010, and production ceased entirely in 2020.
Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants To Replace Freon
If Freon is hazardous and no longer in production, what are the current refrigerant replacements for Carpentersville air conditioning? Alternative AC refrigerant types for air conditioners include R-410A, or Puron, and R-454B, or Puron Advanced.
Puron is the standard Freon alternative. While still hazardous for the environment, it doesn’t affect the ozone layer. Puron Advanced is a newer refrigerant that works well as a cooling agent with minimal environmental effects, making it ideal for energy-efficient cooling systems.
Does Your Air Conditioner in Carpentersville Have a Refrigerant Leak?
Now that you know the answer to “Do new AC units use Freon?”, learn the following warning signs of a refrigerant leak below.
Sweet Odors From the Cooling Unit
If you use an older air conditioner to cool your Carpentersville property, but your system has a sweet smell, it’s leaking Freon. Freon is naturally odorless. However, manufacturers include a sweet-smelling additive to alert people about leaks of this toxic substance.
Warm Air From Vents
Because refrigerant flows on a closed loop, you don’t have to replace or top off the chemical levels to keep your air conditioner running. However, if a leak occurs, your air conditioning unit won’t have enough refrigerant to remove heat from indoor air efficiently. That’s why refrigerant leaks are one of the primary reasons vents blow warm air when the air conditioner is running.
Water Leaks
Air conditioners generate condensation during the heat transfer process. Yet, they shouldn’t leak water. If puddles are forming around your unit, it could be a refrigerant leak or a clogged drain line.
Get Help for Your Cooling System’s Refrigerant Problems Today
Do new AC units use Freon? Due to the ongoing Freon phase-out, modern air conditioners use eco-friendly refrigerants like R-410A instead of toxic halocarbon-based refrigerants.
If you think your air conditioning system in Carpentersville, Illinois, has a refrigerant leak, or if you’re ready to upgrade your outdated system, WeatherWise Heating & Cooling can help. We offer comprehensive heating and cooling solutions for homes and businesses throughout the area, including air conditioning repairs and replacements.
Contact WeatherWise Heating & Cooling today to request services and review our AC maintenance guide for more information.