When it comes to home and auto air conditioning, ensuring that cold air is there when you need it should be one of your top priorities. When dealing with an A/C system that is not performing as well 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.

While there are many do-it-yourself kits available at most hardware stores, filling up on Freon is more complicated than you might think. That’s why professionals usually recommend that Freon fill-ups and air conditioning replacements are completed by a skilled professional.

Air Zero, a St Pete air conditioning company, can ensure that your air conditioning system is brought back to life while following all codes and laws revolving Freon you’re your home’s AC runs on Freon, take a look at this quick guide from the experts at Air Zero to learn how it works, what it’s used for, and why new laws and regulations concerning Freon could mean that it’s time for an AC system upgrade.

What Is Freon?

Freon is a name trademarked by Dupont to describe a colorless gas that is used in refrigerators and air conditioning systems to produce cool air. It is also known as R-22, a term used to identify Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Since CFCs have been linked to global warming by causing ozone depletion, R-22 is in the process of being phased out—making it much harder and more expensive to refill older HVAC systems. Most newer systems are now running on R-134, which is a Tetrafluoroethane which comes from the family of HFC refrigerant.

How Does Freon Work?

The process of cooling your home, car, or refrigerator can be quite complicated as the Freon has to undergo a few processes to produce cooler air. All AC systems are equipped with coils and compressors to help make this possible. The compressor pushed down on the Freon, which greatly increases its temperature. The gas then moves into the coils, which cools it down 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?

When most people think of Freon, they immediately think about home and auto 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 use Freon as well.

What Is The Montreal Protocol?

In an effort to cut down on CFCs, the United States agreed to reduce its use of CFCs over an agreed-upon time. This agreement is known as the Montreal Protocol and was one of the biggest topics of climate change at that time. By January 1, 2020, the US has agreed to have cut down to 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 just 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 are needing R-22, it will need to come from recycled products.

Do I Need to Upgrade My AC System in 2020?

If your AC system currently runs on Freon, don’t panic. Freon is not and will not be illegal to use after regulations to cut down on its usage take effect this year. However, as we mentioned in the last section, finding Freon will prove to be more difficult (and more expensive) as time passes.

Chances are, your AC system is in need of replacement if it’s still running on Freon. In 2010, AC manufacturers stopped producing Freon-reliant systems in favor of R410A, or Puron, a replacement that won’t harm the ozone layer. If your Freon-dependent AC system is over ten years old and showing signs of wearing out, there’s never been a better time than now to upgrade to a more environmentally-friendly system.

Quality Air Conditioning Services In Florida

As a leading Largo and St Pete AC company, our highly trained and professional team goes above and beyond to provide the quality and value our customers deserve. Every Air Zero air conditioning maintenance or installation we take on is planned and executed by our team of trained, professional technicians—who go above and beyond to ensure that our work reflects our commitment to your satisfaction. 

Call Air Zero to get started today!