When it comes to your home's air conditioning, having cold air is critical in the hot summer months. If your A/C system is not performing as it should, you may have been told that you need to have your Freon levels checked. While most have a general idea of what this means, many do not know exactly what Freon is and why it is so important.
What Is Freon?
Freon is a name trademarked by Dupont to describe a colorless gas used in refrigerators and air conditioning systems to produce cool air. It is also known as R-22, a Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Since CFCs have been linked to global warming by causing ozone depletion, R-22 is being phased out, making it much harder and more expensive to refill older HVAC systems due to most newer systems now running on R-410A.
How Does Freon Work?
Cooling your home, car, or refrigerator can be quite complicated as the Freon has to undergo a few processes to produce cooler air. All A/C systems will be equipped with coils and compressors to help make this possible. The compressor will compress the Freon, which greatly increases the temperature. The gas then moves into the coils, which cools it into a liquid form. The cooled Freon can now absorb the heat from the outside air and push the cold air out to cool your home or appliances.
What Is Freon Used For?
Most people who think of Freon immediately think about their home air conditioning systems. However, Freon is used as a refrigerant in upright and chest freezers. Some dehumidifiers, food transport vehicles, and industrial food storage freezers also use Freon.
What Is The Montreal Protocol?
To cut down on CFCs, the United States agreed to reduce their use over an agreed-upon time. This agreement is known as the Montreal Protocol and was one of the biggest climate change topics. By January 1, 2020, the US should have its usage at 99.5% below its baseline use.
What does this mean for those who still require R-22? This does not mean that R-22 will not be available; it will be much harder to find and will most likely be more expensive. Since Freon cannot be vented into the atmosphere, it has to be recovered and recycled. After 2020, if you need R-22, it will need to come from recycled products.
Quality Air Conditioning Services In Waco, Texas
As a leading Waco, Texas A/C company, Zip Air provides the highest quality parts with industry-leading customer service. With every Zip Air air conditioning installation, you will get highly trained and certified A/C technicians servicing your home for professional results. Since 2004, Zip Air has helped Central Texans keep their home’s A/C running at its best. To schedule your next A/C service, fill out our online contact form today.
Comments