Refrigerant HCFC-22 (R-22) is a base refrigerant in over 80% of the SNAP listed alternative refrigerant blends. And R-22 is widely used and acceptable in the HVAC market.

 

But why isn't R-22 compatible with most MVAC systems?

 

The R-22 molecule acts much like water to a sponge in a MVAC system - it penetrates the rubber hoses and seal materials and swells them - like a sponge would expand when water is absorbed. Once the gas (R-22) has saturated the rubber material it will then try to escape, causing bubbles to form on the surface of the rubber which pop and blister the material. Once the R-22 has escaped, it leaves behind a hose or seal which (1) is now deformed, (2) has little or no remaining elasticity, and (3) will dry-rot causing leaks in the system. In many cases, the compressor shows the most noticeable damage ~ and if the compressor fails under warranty and the manufacturer determines R-22 was used in the unit, the warranty is void.

 

The HVAC market uses R-22 to produce lower temperatures which are required in some systems like freezers, however these systems use hermetically sealed compressors and metal tubing. MVAC systems do not. If you choose to use one of these alternative refrigerants you need to be careful. First, find out if that alternative refrigerant when used in that A/C system will void some or all of the warranties. Next find out if you need to change the hoses in the system to barrier hoses - which do a better job of handling R-22. And finally, determine if the money your customer will save on this A/C job will actually end up costing them more in the long run. Imagine charging your customer $50 for an A/C job to use an alternative refrigerant - 6 months later the customer returns with a busted A/C system. This time the components are damaged and all the warranties are void.

Tags: r-22, mobile a/c