How Do Refrigerants Work in Air Conditioning Systems?

(847) 722-0000

Schedule Service

May 18, 2021

Most people are familiar with the fact that air conditioners use a substance called refrigerant. However, not many people understand just what refrigerant is and why it's essential for your air conditioner to run properly.

How Do Refrigerants Work in Air Conditioning Systems?

What Is Refrigerant?

Refrigerant is a substance that can be developed in a gaseous or fluid state that absorbs heat from the environment. When combined with compressors and evaporators to form an air conditioner, this refrigerant works to cool your home during the hot summer months. Inside your air conditioner, the refrigerant is housed inside the copper coils.

As the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the indoor environment of your home, it turns from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid. The actual components of your air conditioner move the high-pressure fluid outside to your condenser unit. Outside in your condenser unit, a fan blows hot air over the coils. This cools down the refrigerant, which transitions it from a high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure gas.

The air conditioner components move low-pressure gas back indoors. Another fan inside of your home's HVAC system will proceed to blow air over the newly cooled, low-pressure gas. This disperses cooled air throughout your home. This entire cycle simply repeats over and over again to cool off your home's interior.

What Are The Different Types of Refrigerants?

There have been a few different types of refrigerants utilized in most air conditioning systems. The first was chlorofluorocarbons, known more commonly as R12. The production of this substance was stopped in 1994 as it was found to contribute to the greenhouse gas effect.

The next refrigerant commonly produced for air conditioning systems was hydrochlorofluorocarbons, also known as R22. While this type of refrigerant is still used, it's being phased out because of its similar contribution to the ozone. If you currently have a system operating on R22 refrigerant, you'll want to consider upgrading soon as the supplies of this refrigerant will be depleted soon.

Most systems today run what is known as hydrofluorocarbons. More commonly referred to as R410A and R134, these compounds have no chlorine in their mixture, making them much safer for the environment. In addition, they provide better air quality, more efficiency, increased comfort, and improved reliability for homeowners.

Call Us Today

If you are interested in having an HVAC system installed or want to ensure that your refrigerant is up to environmental standards, simply give our experts a call today. We can assist you with all of your HVAC needs, including installation, routine maintenance, and repairs.

See all articles

Proof We’re the Best HVAC Company Straight From Our Customers

Mini-Split Installation That Exceeded Expectations

Gwen Anderson

Jake is amazing! We reached out to get a quote for a mini-split system to cool our server room, and Jake exceeded our expectations. He recommended a more cost-effective solution that has provided us with incredible results. His out-of-the-box thinking and thoughtfulness are so impressive. I had six other HVAC companies provide quotes, but Jake was the only one who made sustainable and well-considered suggestions. The office staff is also super friendly and helpful!
Came Right on Time for Our

Dominique Haffery

We just had Master Mechanical service our AC units before it gets too hot! This way we know they are operating efficiently! I used to be scared to pay money for these things but it truly saves money in the long run! Master Mechanical was able to come out quickly, give me a shorter window then most companies do in this trade, came right on time, communicated the whole way! They are professional and experts at their craft! Highly recommend!!!
A Great Company for Complicated HVAC Problems

Eric Williams

Jake did an excellent job helping me solve a complex problem that no one else could help with - I needed a new thermostat installed for a unique 120V water chiller AC system, and all other HVAC companies refused to work on it. Jake was on time, friendly, informative, and had it done in less than an hour. Highly recommended!
Saved $1000 With a Second Opinion on AC Repair

Kris

I’m glad I called Master Mechanical for a second opinion. They saved me $1000 over the quote for the same repair from another HVAC company. They were professional on time and fixed my unit same day. They also weren’t pushing upsales. They did let me know my options, but unlike the other company, Master Mechanical didn’t try using scare tactics to get me to buy additional services. Master Mechanical will be my first choice going forward and I’ve already recommended their services to family members as well.
Repaired My Boiler Instead of Pushing an Unnecessary Replacement

Kathleen Ferraro

I am so grateful to Master Mechanical for repairing my old boiler. Danny Chee is very knowledgeable and was able to figure out the problems and repair them. Plus he is a very nice, polite person. He made sure everything was working correctly before leaving, even after 5:00. The people on the phone, Paul and a woman whose name I can't recall, are professional and helpful. I received texts and emails confirming appointments and letting me know when Danny was on his way. They could have sold me a new boiler but instead fixed the old one at a fraction of the cost. I highly recommend them and will continue to rely on them in the future.

‹ ›

See All Reviews Write a Review