Which refrigerant is commonly used in modern air conditioning and heat pump systems?

R-410A is widely used in modern air conditioning and heat pump systems due to its efficient thermodynamic properties and lower environmental impact compared to other refrigerants. It is classified as a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), which does not deplete the ozone layer, a significant advantage over older refrigerants like R-22 and Freon-12.

The transition to R-410A is also part of the industry’s movement towards complying with environmental regulations aimed at reducing the use of substances that harm the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. R-410A operates at higher pressures than R-22, which enables more efficient heat exchange and allows systems to be designed with smaller components without sacrificing performance.

R-22, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), is being phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties, and R-134A, while it has been used in refrigeration applications, is not as efficient in high-performance HVAC systems compared to R-410A. Freon-12 has been discontinued due to its environmental impact as well, making R-410A the preferred choice in contemporary air conditioning technology.