Advantages of R410A over R22
Systems currently using R-22 as a refrigerant are under risk of becoming obsolete as R-22 could potentially become expensive and difficult to obtain in the future. R-22 is an old refrigerant that is notoriously bad for the environment, and current and upcoming legislations will slowly phase this out in the coming years.
The gradual phase out process will have a marked effect on the supply and demand economics of R-22. Air conditioners and heat pumps that use R-410A, on the other hand, are going to be in the market for the foreseeable future, eliminating the risk of obsolescence. Most of the newer model air conditioners and heat pumps available today rely on R-410A as its refrigerant for efficient and reliable operation.
The air conditioning industry is moving away from R-22, and is building the compressors in all new air conditioners and heat pumps to work specifically with R-410A. Compressors designed to work with R-410A feature smaller, heavy duty scroll-type designs that last longer and experience much less damaging vibration during operation. Because R-410A absorbs and releases heat much more efficiently than R-22 ever could, compressors running with R-410A refrigerants run cooler than older models, greatly reducing the risk of mechanical breakdown or burnout because of overheating.
The Advantages of R-410A Refrigerant over R-22
Many people often ask what makes R-410A a better refrigerant alternative to R-22 and others.
R410A uses synthetic oil
Synthetic polyester lubricants can be used with compressors using the R-410A refrigerant to keep the whole system running smoothly. Just like the engine of a car, all air conditioning appliances need to use an oil to keep all of its moving parts well lubricated. For decades air conditioners using R-22 have used what is known as a "mineral oil" to keep things running smoothly internally.
The situation is greatly improved with R-410A, since it uses newer synthetic lubricants that are typically more soluble with the refrigerant than the old mineral oils used with R-22s. What this means in practical terms is that the synthetic lubricants and R-410A refrigerant can mix and circulate more efficiently inside the air conditioner, thereby improving the operation of the compressor, reducing wear and tear on moving parts, and extending the entire system's life. Just like with modern automobiles, newer model air conditioners with synthetic oil in their R-410A refrigerants last longer and are less likely to breakdown in under extreme operating conditions.