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Heating & Air Conditioning

R-22 or Puron?

16 years ago

I've been looking to replace my 20 yr old AC (6 SEER) with probably a new 13 or so SEER. My question is which refrigerent should I go for, R-22 or 410? I have been told by some that they still don't have the bugs worked out of the 410 systems, and since they are higher pressure they are not expected to last as long. Also the 410 units are more expensive. Others tell me that the 410 units are better made and that after 2010, R-22 will no longer be available and repairs will be expensive.

A Trane rep told me that although they sell units using R-22 and 410, all of their units can use 410, so obsolesence should not be a problem.

Anyone willing to separate fact from fiction? I'd appreciate the help.

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Comments (7)

funnycide
16 years ago
I have not heard of a unit that could use either refrigerant. I don't believe it.
Don't worry about the refrigerant. The contractor is much more important.
Both refrigerants are fine. R410 is more expensive. R22 will be around for many, many, many years.
kalining
16 years ago
The new r22 units will use both refrigerants providing they
were built for both. 407C is the direct drop in for the
old R22 systems. don't waste your time worrying about the old freons They have drop ins. I've got 30 lbs. of R12
that i can't even give away. Everyone uses the new drop ins.
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I live north of Baltimore; Bel Air to be exact. I am replacing my 21 year old 7 SEER heat pump this month. It still works, but going from a 7 SEER to a 14 SEER will save me 45% in electricity costs. With BGE raising rates by 65%, my net electric bill will increase by only 20%. I am installing a humidifier since I find the house to be very dry in the winter with the heat pump running and the fireplace cranking. This will be the only "bell and whisltle" for me. If you don't already have a digital programmable thermostat, you'll like the features once you learn how to use them. You picked a good time for a new system install: nice weather, no summertime heat crisis, and the HVAC companies are not that swamped yet. Best of luck to you, Sue.
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Something else to ponder.... your a/c guy is quoting you entry level equipment. There is only one chassis that is being made now that both can have either R22 or 410A and thats the TCGD or the microchannel chassis. There is nothing wrong with this unit..its quite nice infact. There are several other York units that are a little nicer and shouldnt cost that much more...like the LX Latitude series. Now here's the really cool part. Part A is all York equipment & it's seer rating. A.York TCGD48S41S1 condenser York AHP48D3XH2 airhandler 410A expansion valve 15kw heat kit 13 seer 11.00 eer 48.0 MBH ARI # 3005628 Part B is the same outdoor unit but matched with a new Aspen Mfg. air handler. B.York TCGD48S41S1 condenser Aspen Mfg. AEM614-000-ECS15 airhandler TXV & 15kw heat 16 seer 12.20 eer 48.0 MBH ARI # 000025 By just changing the indoor unit to the aspen airhandler, your going from 13 to 16 seer & 11.00 to 12.20 eer! Hope this helps
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Puron is Refrigerant 410A (non-ozone depleting/"green" refrigerant). The name Puron is patented by Carrier Corp. Best I can recall R-22 can no longer be used in the manufacturer of Air Conditioning units in 2009 or 2010. You might check "Montreal Protocal" or other EPA websites to check exact phase out date. My opinion is that once R22 is not allowed in mfgr of new units price will soar (like what happened in the early 1990's when they took R-12 out of automobile A/C.) If you are staying in the home I'd go with R410/Puron.
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a-louie
16 years ago
I am in almost the exact same situation as you are. I saw a posting that linked to Honeywell site on myths about R-410a. I have link attached.

I have made the decision to go with the R-410a for several reasons.

I will be in the house 15 years (until kids graduate)
Don't want to have to worry about supply for R-22. I know the word is it will be around a long time but I recall how hard it was to get freon for my old Town & Country don't want to find out on the house.
Units with R-410a are built to withstand higher pressure and seem to have fewer issues. Based on others feedback.
The cost to go from R22 to R-410a varied by contractors but found a couple that only upcharge a couple hundred dollars.

Good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: Myths on R-410a
friedajune
16 years ago
Here's a link to another thread that discussed this question. Unfortunately, I didn't find it helped me--it only made things more murky. But it's an interesting read...

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread about Puron
daddo
16 years ago
Although R410A is more expensive now, the feds will be taxing R22 to the point that in a year or two, R22 will be more expensive than R410A, so changing won't matter.
Systems designed for R410A (such as the TX valve) will not work with R22 and visa versa. There are other reasons.
Right now going with either is O.K., but in a couple of years, I would go R410A only. In two years- the cost of R22 has doubled.
joelq
16 years ago
Hi all - I don't mean to threadjack, but I'm having to replace the evaporator coils on both units in my house because of leaks. I have two R-22 systems in my house right now.

One of the HVAC guys I had come over was trying to talk me into not just replacing the coils but replacing the whole smash - compressor, evaporator, etc. - with a 410a system. His rationale was, if I replaced only the coils, come 2010, if my compressors were to go out, I'd be forced to buy a 410a compressor which would wouldn't work with my R-22 coils, in which case I'd have to replace the coils again.

Is this true?

Thanks!
kalining
16 years ago
Yes and no. A coil is a coil is a coil. It dosen't care
what gas goes into it but the metering device does. The evap coil is good for 150 lbs. but the condensing coil on the R22 system may not handel the new pressures of 410. It's your call.point in question. I bought a 30 lb. can of
R22 in 2002 for $40.00. the same can now costs me. $160.50.
That is my cost. your cost is $321.00. Yes they will make
the old freon cost prohibative and force the change over to
the new gas. This is big brother. Tom knows what i mean.

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