The R-22 refrigerant phase-out is nearly complete, and homeowners and commercial businesses alike will need to make sure that their replacement plan is in full effect by 2020. In order to do this, it is important for you to understand some of the new types of refrigerant that are available to you, and an expert in commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR is ready to help.

R-417A

Containing cooling properties that are similar to those of R-22, R-417A can be used with existing R-22 systems, and is the only drop-in replacement option that can be used with mineral, alkyl benzene or synthetic oil. This compatibility and flexibility are the main reasons that this option is being used so frequently in commercial refrigeration. There isn’t a drop-off in production when transitioning from R-22, and R-417A is actually able to operate with lower discharge temperatures and a smaller power requirement. Not only will this refrigerant be better for the environment, but it can also be more efficient at the same time.

R-407C

R-407C is a refrigerant combination of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon atoms, referred to as HFC, that is compatible with newer systems and appliances. The major appeal for this type of refrigerant, though, is that it can also be used in retrofit applications with older R-22 refrigerant air conditioning models because of its thermodynamic properties. This means that the installation of a brand new system would not be necessary. Unlike R-22, this refrigerant doesn’t contain the chlorine that was becoming very harmful to the ozone. This type of refrigerant can be used with packaged air conditioners, industrial chillers and the increasingly popular ductless split systems.

R-410A

While this can’t be used in the same drop-in fashion like the other two options can, R-410A is still one of the leading replacement options because of the large improvement of efficiency that these new systems provide. R-410A is also an HFC, and similarly operates without the presence of chlorine. R-410A uses synthetic oil which is more soluble than mineral oil, leading to less wear and tear on your air conditioning compressor. This type of refrigerant can also absorb and release heat at a better rate when compared to R-22, which will also reduce the strain you place on your compressor and your air conditioning system as a whole.

It is especially important for business owners to make sure their HVAC systems are in compliance with the R-22 ban because they are typically held to stricter guidelines in order to pass inspections and receive certifications. If you are worried at all about these changes or need help finding the best type of system and refrigerant for your business, contact the experts at American Refrigeration Inc. Serving as the premier provider of services for commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR since 1995, we have the knowledge you need to make sure that your system is both compliant and efficient. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you—we look forward to assisting you!