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, 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.
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 still owns the Freon name.
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, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)
- R-134a: tetrafluoroethane, a hydrofluorocarbon (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 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 becomes liquid. It then moves to the evaporators, becoming a low-pressure gas absorbing heat from the surrounding air. This, in turn, helps cool your home.
Watch the video below to learn more about how refrigerant works.
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 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 is currently being phased out.
Existing supplies of CFC and HCFC refrigerants are available. However, 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
Replacement “drop-in” refrigerants operate with R-22 and R-410a Freon. Depending on your specific air conditioner model, you can find other Freon replacement options. 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. Pay attention to federal, state, and local rules pertaining to each of these situations:
- Disposal: Most of the time, you’ll need to dispose of 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 be unable to purchase some HCFC refrigerants without an EPA technician certification.
- Record-keeping: Refrigerant suppliers must keep sales records for at least three years. They must also keep records about the refrigerant they receive for recycling.
