What is Freon & Does My Air Conditioner Need It?

November 23, 2021 | Semper Fi | Air Conditioner Tune-Up, Air Conditioning

Freon is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company and refers to a group of halocarbon-based refrigerants commonly used in air conditioning systems and refrigeration units. These refrigerants, including R-12, R-22, R-104A, and R-502, were widely used for cooling but have since been regulated due to their impact on the ozone layer.

Although Freon originally referred to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) like R-22, which was commonly used in older AC systems, the term “Freon” has become a catch-all phrase for any type of fluorocarbon refrigerant. However, due to environmental concerns, the manufacture and import of Freon R-22 have been banned in the United States. While many older air conditioning units still rely on Freon R-22, its supply is dwindling, making it significantly more expensive—often 300-400% higher in cost than modern alternatives like Freon R-410A.

New AC systems no longer use Freon R-22, instead opting for eco-friendly refrigerants that comply with current environmental regulations. If your air conditioner still uses Freon R-22, it may be time to consider an upgrade to a more efficient, cost-effective cooling solution.

Should Older Systems That Use R-22 Be Replaced?

If your system uses R-22, then it is older and possibly nearing the end of efficient operational life. It may still have some useful years left, and if it continues to perform well, there is not an immediate rush to replace it. You should, however, get regular AC maintenance and keep your older system operating until it becomes time for a replacement.

In the normal course of operation, an air conditioning system can lose a small amount of Freon every year. During your semi-annual maintenance visit, it is not uncommon for your HVAC technician to recommend a “top-up” of the refrigerant levels on your system. The challenge occurs if there is a significant refrigerant leak in a Freon R-22 system. In this instance, even if the leak in the system can be repaired, it will most likely be cost-prohibitive to recharge (i.e., refill) the system with Freon R-22, and thus, a system replacement is most commonly the best course of action at that time. Remember, in this instance, it is not that Freon R-22 is not available, but that it is so expensive that investing several thousand dollars in additional Freon R-22 does not make financial sense for homeowners.

The service technicians at Semper Fi can help you understand your options concerning freon availability. We are here to help you get as much life as possible out of your older system as practically possible and offer competitive, cost-effective system replacement options as needed.

What Does Freon Do in Your Air Conditioning System?

Freon passes through your AC refrigerant lines. The air conditioner compressor compresses freon gas, which makes it hot. It then travels through coils that cool and convert it from gas to a liquid state. Next, it travels to evaporators that convert it back to gas that can cool the air in your home.

After years of circulating, the amount of freon in your system will decline. Tiny pinhole leaks will allow freon to escape and make the pressure in the system decline. When people refer to an AC system needing to be recharged or refilled, they are referring to the levels of freon. If your system is running longer than it did in the past, or if it seems that your system is not keeping you as cool as you expect, it could be that the freon needs to be recharged.
Call Semper Fi to make an appointment for a technician to check your system’s freon levels and add whatever is needed to get your system back to working like new at full efficiency.