What is Freon? – Freon is one of the terms you may often hear, because it relates to air conditioning or air cooling. However, what exactly is the freon? What’s the difference with refrigerants?
Freon is a compound used as a fuel to smooth the AC system. The presence of this freon is useful for producing air that is cooler than air conditioning.
So, let’s get a deeper understanding of what is freon and the differences between refrigerants and their relationship to the cooling system below.
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Table of Contents
What is Freon?
Freon is a chemical compound used as a fuel in the air conditioning system that absorbs heat from the air.
Freons themselves can be liquid or gas, and have characteristics such as having no particular color or smell.
Freon is used in various types of appliances in industrial and household settings that produce cold, like in air conditioning, or refrigerators. Besides, freon is also used in your cars AC.
But, you should pay attention to the condition of the freon, because a leaked freon can be harmful for your health.
When inhaled, freon gas can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, drunkenness, coughing, and irritation in the eyes, ears, and throat.
Difference Between Freon and Refrigerant
Before discussing freon further, it is important to understand the difference with refrigerants.
To put it simply, freon is a type of refrigerant used in refrigeration systems such as air conditioning and refrigerators.
Refrigerants themselves are substances used in cooling systems to change phases from liquid to gas and vice versa repeatedly.
On the other hand, freon is one of the trademarks of refrigerants that was introduced by a company called DuPont in the 1930s. Over time, the term “freon” has been widely used to refer to a variety of types of coolants.
Also Read: “What are the Types of Refrigerant? Let’s Find the Answer!“
Function of Freon in Air Conditioning Systems
Freon plays an important role in air conditioning. The main function of freon is to absorb heat from indoor air and release it to the outside environment.
This cooling process occurs through complex compression and decompression cycles in the air conditioner system.
At first, the freon is in the form of a gas inside the compressor. Then, it is compressed by the compression so that it becomes liquid and hot.
The freon fluid then flows through the condenser pipe, where the heat contained in it will be absorbed by the outside air passing through the capacitor.
As a result, the freon turns back into gas and becomes cooler. Next, the gas freon goes through the expansion valve, where the pressure decreases so that the temperature drops drastically.
This cold freon gas then flows through the evaporator pipe, where the heat from the indoor air will be absorbed by the freon, and the interior air becomes cooler.
Also Read: “5 Signs that Your Freon is Low“
Types of Freon
Freon is an important component in the air cooling system that plays a role in producing cold air to keep room temperature cool and comfortable.
There are several types of freon that are commonly used in the cooling industry. Once you understand what freon is, it is now important to know the types so that you can choose them according to your needs.
Here’s an explanation of some commonly used types of AC freons.
1. Freon HCFC-22 (R-22)
R-22, also known as the HCFC-22 freon, is one of the types of AC freon commonly used in household air cooling systems.
This freon has long been a top choice for household ACs because of its ability to cool air effectively. However, unfortunately, R-22 has properties that destroy the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
The ozone layer is a protective layer located in the stratosphere, and plays an important role in protecting the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
R-22 contains chlorine, which is one of the substances causing the depletion of the ozone layer. As a result, the use of R-22 contributes to the problem of climate change and increased risk of exposure to harmful UV radiations.
To address this problem, international protocols such as the Montreal Protocol have been implemented to stop the use of R-22 globally.
The cessation of use of the R-22 is intended to reduce the negative impact on the ozone layer and the earth as a whole.
Instead, the refrigeration industry is switching to more environmentally friendly refrigerants and does not damage the ozone layer.
In the replacement of R-22, the most commonly used refrigerant is R-410A. This type of freon is safe for the ozone layer and has a better cooling efficiency than R-22.
Furthermore, R410A is also considered a more environmentally friendly alternative because it has a much lower global warming potential than R22.
The cessation of R-22 is indeed an important step in the effort to maintain environmental sustainability.
However, it should be noted that an AC system using R-22 cannot be directly converted to using R-410A without appropriate modification.
This is because of the different characteristics and working pressures between the two types of freons.
Therefore, if you have an air conditioning system that still uses R22, it is advisable to consult with a professional technician to find out the best available options in replacing the refrigerant on your air conditioner.
2. R-410A (Puron)
R-410A is a type of freon name that is more environmentally friendly and has become the standard substitute for R-22 in modern air conditioning.
These freons are specially designed to be more environmentally friendly by not damaging the ozone layer and have a higher efficiency in the cooling process.
One of the advantages of R-410A is that it does not contain chlorine, which is a substance that destroys the ozone layer. This makes it a safer choice for the environment.
When you use R410A as a refrigerant in an air-conditioning system, you can reduce the negative impact of the ozone layer and also its contribution to climate change.
In addition, R-410A also provides a higher cooling efficiency compared to R-22. This freon is capable of producing lower cooling temperatures and betterining room temperature stability.
In an air conditioning system that uses R410A, you will experience more effective cooling and better comfort.
However, it is worth noting that the use of R-410A requires a change in the design and component of the AC.
The working temperature and pressure of R410A is different from that of R-22, so the AC system using R-411A needs to be designed and built specifically to accommodate these freons.
3. R-134a (Freon HFC-134a)
The advantage of this freon is that it does not contain chlorine or bromine, which is a substance that can damage the ozone layer.
It is also used in other cooling equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, and portable ACs. Given that R-134a has stable properties and good efficiency in cooling processes, it is a common choice in the cooling industry.
Not only that, R-134a also has a relatively low global warming potential, so its contribution to climate change is more controlled than some other refrigerants.
However, although R-134a is considered to be more environmentally friendly than some other refrigerants, it is important to keep using it wisely.
Also Read: “What is a Refrigerant and How Does It Work?“
So there you have it! A thorough explanation of “what is freon” alongside its types and functions in air cooling systems!
One thing to always worth noting beside the freon is your AC unit itself, choose the one with the SNI logo on it!
The SNI logo on an air conditioner is a testament that the product has already been tested and determined for its quality and safety aspects.
The SNI certification itself is a series of regulations to ensure that every product sold and distributed in Indonesia is within Indonesian standards.
This will not only give the Indonesian customers a peace of mind but also be beneficial for you, business owners.
As having the SNI logo on your products will boost the trust from Indonesian market to your products!
So, if you’re a business owner and wanted to have a more boost to your product, kindly check this link!
