Facts About R-410A

What Is R-410A?
R-410A is an azeotropic mixture of R-32 and R-125.

Advantages
R-410A has a higher heat transfer coefficient than R-22. This is somewhat of an advantage for the manufacturer, but not so much for the end user (homeowner). With higher transfer coefficients one might be able to use a physically smaller system to obtain the same rating. For the person who is purchasing the unit, the efficiency would still be the same 10, 11, 12, 13 or higher SEER’s.

Disadvantages
Systems that use R-410A will run at a higher pressure than systems using R-22 (approximately 60% higher). The number of service technicians currently trained and equipped to service these units are at this time very limited. The standard gauges, tools, and recovery equipment are not compatible to be used on R-410A systems. This can limit the number of service personnel qualified to service R-410A systems.

The Environment
With regard to the ozone depletion properties of refrigerants, the ozone depletion factors are as follows:

R-12 = 1.00
R-22 = 0.05
R-410A = 0.00

Phase Out
Contrary to what you might have been told, R-22 is not a product that will be phased out anytime soon. The federal law schedule has R-22 to be phased out as follows:

Year 2010 = No longer used in new equipment
Year 2020 = No longer produced
Year 2030 = Complete phase out of R-22

Note:
Because the life of a standard comfort system is 15 years, purchasing a unit with R-22 would be well within the time and availability of R-22 refrigerant.

The Price
Currently the wholesale cost of a pound of R-410A is 800% more than a pound of R-22. It is anticipated that as the use of R-410A becomes more common, the cost will become more affordable.