What is the difference between R22 and R410A refrigerants?
There are actually a lot of differences between the two refrigerants. However, to simplify things we will compare how it affects the average homeowner. First R22 is a CFC or Chlorofluorocarbon, and R410A is a HFC or Hydro fluorocarbon. This doesn’t mean much to the average consumer but the reality is R410A is safer for our environment. Why? HFCs are less stable than CFCs, therefore as they escape into the atmosphere HFCs are prone to break apart before reaching the ozone layer, whereas CFCs will not break apart and can cause damage to the ozone layer. Additionally, as part of the Montreal Clean Air Act (more can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Protocol) the production of R22 will be banned and therefore only recycled and reused R22 will be available as of 2010. Only three short years ago (2004) R22 was selling on the retail end for $9 a pound with R410A at $45 a pound. Today (2007) R22 retails around $18 a pound and R410A retails around $30 a pound. As you can see R22
