What is an Aircon Refrigerant?
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in your aircon unit. It absorbs environmental heat and provides cool air once it runs through compressors and evaporators. However, there isn’t just one type of refrigerant, which makes it easy to get them confused.
There are actually three different types, and using the wrong one can damage your aircon unit because they’re not interchangeable. With that in mind, it’s important to know as much as possible about these refrigerants.
What are the different types of refrigerants?
R12
R-12 is a colorless and odorless CFC refrigerant that was completely banned from production by 1996 under the Montreal Protocol for depleting the ozone. R-12 has many applications in refrigeration and air conditioning including large to medium size chillers, automotive air conditioning, and as an aerosol propellant. R-12 is high-pressure and typically stored in white containers.
R22
R22 is what is commonly known as Freon, and has been used as a central aircon unit refrigerant for decades. However, like R12, it’s been linked to environmental damage such as ozone depletion. As a result, the Clean Air Act of 2010 was passed, and residential furnace repair pros and manufacturers have stopped using it. It has been completely phased out by 2020.
R407C
Often referred to by a brand name such as Suva 407C or Genetron 407C. R-407C is a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) that does not directly contribute to ozone depletion with a GWP of 1774. Of the higher temperature HFC options, R-407C most closely matches the operating characteristics of R-22, it is a high-glide refrigerant with lower efficiency but provides the simplest conversion from R-22 due to its similar pressures.
R454B
R454B is a mildly flammable, lower global warming potential refrigerant designed to replace R410A in new equipment designs. R454B offers the optimal balance of properties to replace R410A in positive displacement, direct expansion air conditioning, heat pump, and chiller applications.
R410A
R410A also known as Puron is the R22 replacement for aircon units. Due to the lack of chlorine in the mixture, it’s less harmful to the environment while still retaining the same cooling characteristics as R22. System manufacturers have had great success with R-410A because of its energy-efficient properties and ease of use in their systems. In addition, components are widely available for designing efficient R-410A systems.
R134a
R134a or HFC-134a is a non-flammable hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant that was introduced to commercial and industrial applications as an alternative to the R-12 CFC refrigerant. R134a performs similarly to R-12, making it an easy-to-use replacement, and is relatively safe to use as it has an ASHRAE classification of A1.
R134a is also known as a tetrafluoroethane (CH2FCF3) since it consists of carbon, hydrogen, and carbon. One of the positives of R134a is that it doesn’t contain chlorine, making it significantly less toxic than R-12.
While R134a is safe to use and a better alternative to R-12, its usage still has a significant impact on the environment. R134a has a 1,430 global warming potential (GWP) rating, which is a measurement of how much heat a greenhouse gas is trapped within the atmosphere versus the amount of heat that’s trapped by CO2.
In this case, R134a traps 1,430 times as much heat per kilogram as CO2 does in a hundred-year timeframe, and because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has since listed the refrigerant as “Unacceptable” for certain automotive, commercial, and industrial applications.
R32
R32 refrigerant is also known as difluoromethane and belongs to the HFC family of refrigerants. This gas is poised to replace the other gaseous such as R-410A and R-407C as the preferred gas due to its lower Global Warming Potential. Its chemical formula is CH2F2.
The discovery of the greenhouse effects of refrigerants that are used to replace ozone depletion gaseously has prompted the players in the aircon unit industry to look for better refrigerants. Global Warming is a serious problem that is plaguing the world and the overall temperature of the earth has been rising.
This prompted many manufacturers to begin to plan to phase out refrigerants such as R-407C, R-410A, R-134A and replace them with lower GWP such as R32. It has a boiling point of -51°C.
R32 uses 78% less refrigerant to operate compared to R-410A and most newer products in Japan have been phasing in this refrigerant since 2013.
How To Tell Which Refrigerant To Use
One way you can tell which refrigerant your aircon unit needs is by checking the large sticker or plate on its compressor or evaporator, which will state the refrigerant that’s required. It’s important to check these stickers before replacing the refrigerant, as they’re not interchangeable, and using the wrong type can damage your system.
Many aircon units are designed to be used with R-410A for a reliable and more efficient operation. Because R-410A can absorb and release more heat than R-22, and aircon unit compressor can run at a cooler temperature, reducing the risk of compressor burnout due to overheating.
R-410A also functions at a higher pressure than R-22, so new compressors are built to withstand greater stresses, reducing the chance of cracking. If someone were to put R-410A refrigerant into an aircon unit designed for R-22, the pressure could potentially be too high, causing the unit to potentially fail.
Most aircon units use oil to keep the compressor lubricated during operation. R-22 aircon units use mineral oil (MO) and R-410A systems use Polyol Ester Oil (POE). For cases when you are retrofitting a system to an HFC refrigerant, it is recommended to remove at least 95% of the MO before replacing it with POE oil.
(NOTE: Under no circumstances should R410a be used to ‘top-off’ an R22 system). POE oil is generally more soluble with R-410A than mineral oil is with R-22. This means the R-410A system operates more efficiently, reducing wear and tear on the compressor.
In addition, temperature glide is a property of some HFC refrigerant blends or mixtures and is generally undesirable. Because the composition alters during a phase change, there is a slight change in evaporating and condensing temperature at constant pressure.
Commercial aircon units that use higher glide refrigerants are usually designed to work around the aircon issues associated with glide, with little or no effect on system performance.
As lower GWP refrigerants become available, it’s important to note it may not be possible to use all of them as a retrofit in existing systems because some have mildly flammable properties. Refrigerants should always only be used in systems specifically designed for them, as selected by manufacturers and system designers.
What is the mechanism of an Aircon Refrigerant?
As refrigerant transmutes from liquid to gas and back, it absorbs and releases heat. This is how it is capable of cooling down a home. The compressor changes liquid refrigerant into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. The refrigerant moves to the outside coil of the aircon unit and releases its heat there through condensation, cooling down.
By the time it reaches the indoor coil, it has cooled down to the point that it causes evaporation when it meets the warmer indoor air. This siphons heat from the air, cooling it down. The refrigerant, once again a liquid, returns to the compressor to restart the cycle.
The refrigerant will remain at the same level for the life of the air conditioner—unless leaks occur. If the refrigerant level or charge starts to drop, you will need to have a professional air conditioning service to repair the system as soon as possible. Low refrigerant will not only lower the cooling ability of your aircon unit, but it can also severely damage the compressor.
How Often Do You Need to Do a Gas Top Up for Your Aircon?
In a warm and humid country like Singapore, air conditioners become a necessity for most households and offices. Consequently, regular aircon gas top up become essential to maintain proper gas levels in your aircon. It’s wise to engage a professional technicians to check on your gas levels regularly to create and maintain a comfortable and conducive environment.
Several factors that influence the frequency of gas top up required, including:
When the air conditioner operates non-stop
If you notice your air conditioner running non-stop, it's an indicator that you need to refill the gas. When the air conditioner lacks gas or coolant, it won't achieve the desired cooling temperature, causing it to run continuously without stopping. This signifies that it's time to refill the air conditioner with gas.
When aircon feel not cold
While you might assume your air conditioner is functioning well, it might not be cooling properly. When all of your aircon units that linked to the same condenser unit are not cold, often due to low of gas/refrigerant. When this happens, air conditioner owners often seek the help of the professionals to assess the coolant gas and advise whether an aircon gas top-up is necessary to restore cool air and create a comfortable indoor environment. However, if the condenser is not running, you will probably need a repair. In this case, technician will check and advise you accordingly.
When aircon is leaking
If you notice water leaks from your air conditioner, it might be signaling a decrease in gas levels. Low gas can lead to incomplete vaporization, turning some of it into water that leaks. While water leakage might have other causes, gas shortage could also contribute. If you observe aircon water leaks, it's a good idea to get the gas levels checked and refill as necessary.
Once the air conditioner has undergone repair
An air conditioner might exhibit unusual behavior when it requires a gas refill. If you can’t figure out the reason for your aircon’s poor performance, it could be due to insufficient gas. You can attempt simple solutions like adjusting the temperature first. However, if the issue persists, an aircon gas top-up is necessary to enhance performance.
Any issues or complications with the air conditioner can result in a reduction of gas levels. Therefore, it's essential to have professional aircon technicians take over this issue. They can minimize gas loss, but for optimal air conditioner performance, a gas top-up is necessary after the repair.
When you notice ice building up on the coils
Ice forming on the coils is another sign of low gas levels that require a top-up. When the air conditioner lacks of gas, the coils freeze water vapor around them, leading to numerous issues. It's advisable to refill the gas in your air conditioner to prevent further complications.
Signs that an aircon gas needs to be changed:
Reduction in cooling capacity
The first sign that may indicate that your aircon unit needs its gas to be changed is less cooling. You may notice that the air is not blowing as cold as it was before or is not blowing cold air at all. When an aircon unit runs with less gas, its cooling efficiency reduces drastically. Let’s say earlier your preferred temperature was 25°C, but suddenly you don’t feel comfortable with that temperature and start setting the aircon temperature to below the ideal one.
Water leakage
Water leakage is another sign that the aircon gas needs to be changed. When there is a gas shortage in the aircon unit, vaporization does not happen properly. The incomplete vaporization turns into water leakage. If you do not treat it immediately, the water leakage can go heavy and can definitely result in a bigger aircon issue.
Wear and tear of the aircon unit
If any kind of wear and tear happens with your aircon unit due to internal or external force, you may need to consider it checked by a professional aircon servicing company. Sometimes the damages are not big, but the gas leakage happens very silently that you cannot even notice. You get to know about it only when the entire gas gets wasted in the air and you are then faced with a bigger aircon issue.
Aircon unit takes more time to cool
A very common indication that aircon gas needs to be changed is increased time in the aircon cooling. For example, your aircon usually takes 20 minutes to cool the room at a temperature of 25°C, but suddenly it takes 30-40 minutes to cool the same room. This indicates that your aircon unit needs sincere maintenance from a professional aircon servicing company without any negligence.
High energy consumption
When the aircon gas level gets low or high in the aircon unit, your monthly electricity bill increases as well. If your aircon unit is low on refrigerant, it can’t absorb as much heat from your home. And that leads to an aircon unit running nonstop, increasing your power consumption. If you are not sure in the first month, notice the electricity bill of 2-3 months. If you see continuous increases in the bill. It’s time to hire a professional aircon servicing company to have your unit fully checked or have them change your aircon gas.
Hissing/bubbling noise from the aircon unit
In most cases, refrigerant leaks are silent in nature because they’re pretty small. But if there is a large leak in your entire aircon unit then you will hear a continuous hissing or bubbling sound when it’s running.
How to increase your aircon gas lifespan:
1) Choosing a reputed brand over cheap brands guarantees you prolong the life of your aircon gas.
2) Aircon units set at a place where they get direct sunlight increases the chances of gas reduction due to excess heat. Make sure your aircon unit is away from direct sunlight.
3) Try to put a cover on the condenser especially during hot summer months to reduce the debris build-up.
4) A professional aircon servicing company recommends you choose a good quality compressor as this is helpful in increasing the aircon gas lifespan.
5) Schedule maintenance checks on the aircon unit regularly. Also, ask a professional aircon servicing company to check the gas of the aircon unit while servicing.
Here are 8 incredible tips on how you can air condition gas leaking
1. Learn some common causes to check aircon gas leak
It can be easy to correctly check gas leaking from your air conditioner, if you are knowledgeable with the common causes of the problem. Here are several common causes:
A major cause of gas leaking in air conditioners is the rubbing together of the refrigerant lines as a result of vibrations.
Gas leak can also be as a result of damaged coil. Tis can occur when trying to eliminate excess ice from the cooling oil. To mitigate this, always allow only experienced technicians perform the task.
Corrosion of the evaporating coil or condensing coil is yet another major cause of air conditioning gas leak.
2. Learn some common places where Leaks often occur
It can be easier to locate a gas leak from an air conditioning if you know where to locate the problem. Some common locations where leaks often occur include:
• The handler unit • In the condensing coil • In the refrigerant lines • Control valves if poorly connected • Fittings if poorly soldered
3. Use a leak detector
If you cannot physically locate the leak through your senses, a detector can help. The detector is a device with a sensor, switch, batteries, and sensitivity controls. It also contains a sniffer that pulls air to be analyzed for any traces of refrigerants. You can purchase this device from your store and the gas leak with ease.
4. Listen to Whistling sounds
Gas leaks produces whistling sounds and strange noises in the thermostatic expansion valve and other parts which you can hear with your ears. However, if you hear any sound, it can be an indication of very low level of the refrigerant. Whatever the case, you can apply other tips to confirm and trace the leak.
5. Search for Strains
In case of a constant gas leak, strains can appear on the refrigerant piping including the controls. This is an indication that the gas is leaking from the location of the strains. It is good to note that strains and other effects of gas leak can be easily detected if the leaks are on the upper section of the piping system. However, more effort is required to identify same effects if the leak is coming from the lower side. This can also be affected by the type of air conditioning unit you have installed. It is always good to consider repair and maintenance options when deciding on the type of unit to install.
6. Call a Professional
If you experience a drop in the refrigerant output, there could be a possible leak. The best thing to do when you can’t tell it yourself is to call a good aircon servicing Singapore company who can do the checking for you. Most leaks start small but with time cause a significant decline in the unit’s performance.
7. Apply the Bubble Method
This is one of the oldest ways to check a gas leak in an air conditioning unit. It involves the application of a soap solution to areas you suspect could be having a leak and observe the production of bubbles. This works by the fact that any escaping refrigerant produces bubbles and is more effective.
8. Add a Fluorescent Dye to The Refrigeration System
This involves mixing a fluorescent dye with the lubricant and allowing it to circulate throughout the air conditioner. In case of any leak, the dye comes out at the point of leak with a bright-yellow-green color. This helps you to pinpoint the leaks position.
Some of other ways you can check air conditioning gas leaking include use of heated diode detector and keen observation of air conditioner leak symptoms. The symptoms of an air conditioner refrigerant leak include long cooling time, warm air coming out of air registers and frozen evaporator coils.
Finally, checking an air conditioning gas leak is a vital step towards preventing all sorts of performance and efficiency problems to your air conditioner. It is important to know possible areas where the leak can occur and also learn some common causes of the leak as it can help you diagnose the leak before more damage is done. 338aircon offers some incredibly subsided prices for gas leak services.
It’s always a good time to talk about the common issues that aircon units have. This way, you’ll be able to spot if there are problems with your unit or not and prepare for its replacement accordingly. If you require our aircon servicing services, Whatsapp us at +65 9222 4141 for a fast and transparent quote.
338 Aircon Servicing Singapore provides an extensive range of Aircon Services including Aircon Servicing, Aircon Repairs, Aircon Installation of the best aircon brands, Chemical Overhaul, Gas Top-up, Aircon Leaking Water, and Aircon Not Cold Fix, and more. We have a team of professional technicians who are equipped with vast knowledge and experience in the Aircon industry.
We have over 15 years of experience in dealing with aircon works and have completed thousands of aircon works for both residential (Landed, Condo, and HDB) and commercial. We are a highly recommended Aircon Company in Singapore, with many delighted customers and reviews over the years on Google and Facebook.
WhatsApp us at +65 9222 4141 for a transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your aircon needs or Call us at +65 9222 4141. We offer a fast and efficient service to serve any of your aircon needs!
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