What Is Freon?

Freon has been a household name in air conditioning and refrigeration for decades, and many use the word to refer to any kind of refrigerant. However, it’s actually a brand name that encompasses a few specific types of refrigerant. 

Many chemical refrigerants are leaving the market for environmental reasons, but barring serious problems, you’re unlikely to replace your entire HVAC unit soon. Here’s what you need to know about Freon for the timebeing.

A Brief History of Freon

Freon played a major part in the history of air conditioners. DuPont developed Freon refrigerants in the early 1930s as a safer alternative to other chemicals, like ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and methyl chloride, that were used in early mechanical cooling systems. These early air conditioner refrigerants were toxic and hazardous if leaked.

Industrial chemist Thomas Midgley Jr. led the effort to develop chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds that were non-flammable, non-toxic, and chemically stable. R-12, marketed under the Freon name, was the first CFC refrigerant DuPont commercialized in 1931. HVAC system manufacturers widely adopted it for home and commercial air conditioners in the decades to follow.

To compete with Freon, other companies started manufacturing competing CFC refrigerants under brand names like Genetron and Arcton. Some of them had better thermodynamic properties and chemical stability.

In 2015, The Chemours Company spun off from DuPont, and it owns the Freon name to this day.

Refrigerant Numbering

Chemical refrigerants receive an R-number designation from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE.) This number can tell you more about the molecular composition of the product. Here are a few common examples:

• R-12 (dichlorodifluoromethane, a CFC)
• R-22 (monochlorodifluoromethane, an HCFC)
• R-134a (tetrafluoroethane, an HFC)

Refrigerant cylinders and labels use assigned colors for identification purposes. R-12 is white, R-22 is light green, and R-134a is light blue.

How Freon Works in Home HVAC Systems

Freon and other types of refrigerants run through dedicated lines in your air conditioner. The system’s compressor heats the Freon gas, which then travels through the coils. As the coils cool the gas, the Freon turns into a liquid state. It then moves to the evaporators, where it becomes a low-pressure gas absorbing heat from the surrounding air. This, in turn, helps cool your home.

Signs of Low Freon and How to Fix It

Even if you never have to deal with a refrigerant leak, Freon will still naturally deplete over time. If you see any of these signs, you may have a low Freon issue:

• Your air conditioner takes longer to cool your home.
• Your air conditioner is only blowing out warm air.
• Your utility bills have become higher than normal.
• You see ice buildup on the refrigerant lines.

Licensed HVAC professionals can add refrigerant to your HVAC unit if it’s low. This is not a DIY job—refrigerants are dangerous chemicals, and there can be serious health consequences if you inhale the vapors. You’d also have to navigate a pressurized tank and intricate equipment, and making a mistake could damage the whole unit.

The Phaseout of CFC and HCFC Refrigerants

The earth’s ozone layer helps filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Its depletion first became a major environmental issue in the 1980s.

CFC and HCFC refrigerants like R-12 and R-22 were once dominant in the market, but under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, they’ve been phased out globally for their ozone depletion potential. Developed countries stopped making CFCs in 1996, and most started phasing out HCFC refrigerants by the end of 2020. R-410a’s phaseout will begin in 2025.

Existing supplies of CFC and HCFC refrigerants are available, but they’re dwindling quickly, and it’s now forbidden to manufacture or import them into the U.S. With supply and demand, R-22’s cost per pound is extremely high.

Replacements for Freon Refrigerants

There are replacement “drop-in” refrigerants that operate with R-22 and R-410a Freon. You can also find other Freon replacement options depending on your specific air conditioner’s model. However, it may be more cost-effective to replace your HVAC system in some cases.

For systems that used R-22 Freon, potential replacements can include R-407c, R-438a, or R-453a.

Though R-410a is still prevalent today, alternatives like R-470a entered the market before the HCFC phaseout. More options will undoubtedly launch as time goes on.

Refrigerant Management and Regulations

With the rise of environmental concerns, the refrigerants that are still allowed have become highly regulated. You’ll want to pay attention to federal, state, and local rules pertaining to each of these situations:

• Disposal: Most of the time, you’ll need to dispose and recycle refrigerant properly according to environmental regulations. Illegally releasing them can incur a significant fine.
• Labeling: HVAC equipment must have labeling with the specific type of refrigerant used.
• Leak detection and repair: If your HVAC unit or appliances have a refrigerant leak, repair it as soon as possible to mitigate health and environmental risks.
• Purchase regulations: You may not be able to purchase some HCFC refrigerants without an EPA technician certification.
• Record-keeping: Refrigerant suppliers must keep records of their sales for at least three years. They must also keep records about refrigerant they receive for recycling.