R22 or R410A ?

Getting an air conditioner for your new home or a replacement for your already "expired" unit?

You probably would encounter people telling you about R22 or R410A.

Comparison R410A over R22? 

What most people know about R410A

1) it is environmental friendly*
2) more efficent thus lower electrical bills
3) able to cool faster using less energy**

*not entirely environmental friendly as R410A still has a high Global Warming Potential.

** contributes certain percentage to the improvement but most credit should be attribute to the improvement in technology.



But what most people do not know about R410A
1) it has a higher operating pressure about 1.5 times more than R22

2) Zero Ozone Depletion Potential

3) Higher heat carrying capacity
4) it requires slightly stricter installation procedures
5) those handling R410A must attend some sort of training
6) new equipment must be purchased for R410A installation as those used R22 is not suitable
7) more expensive to maintain air conditioners using R410A (at least as of 11th Dec 2006)

But what most people do not know about R410A
1) it has a higher operating pressure about 1.5 times more than R22
2) Zero Ozone Depletion Potential
3) Higher heat carrying capacity
4) it requires slightly stricter installation procedures
5) those handling R410A must attend some sort of training
6) new equipment must be purchased for R410A installation as those used R22 is not suitable
7) more expensive to maintain air conditioners using R410A (at least as of 11th Dec 2006)

So should we buy a R410A air conditioner now?
Look at the timeline, it is a good 9 years away, enough time to do a replacement Air conditioner these days last between 6 to 7 years on average, subjected to usage pattern and maintenance, though it still may be possible to last 10 years
** But replacing an air conditioner of 10years with a new more efficient model can save you up to 40% in your cooling bill according to US Department of Energy So does it seems logical to get the R22 now and wait till it spoils and maybe then consider a R410A air con?


How about us? As consumers?
1) Will it be a risk to purchase the R410A now?
Basically, now in market most AC inverters use R410A while most non inverter are still using R22. But we will be seeing much more of R410A air conditioners in very near future especially with the ever increasing regulations on energy efficiency labels.
2)Will it be very expensive to 'refill' the R410A ?YES! Currently it is about 2 times more expensive than R22. Producing R410A requires more expensive raw materials, more manufacturing processes, and are still not having a production quantity that of R22. But as the Montreal Protocol takes effect on the developed countries and on a later time the developing countries, the trend will shift.
BUT wait!!! Why should there be a need to 'refill' or charge your air conditioner with R410A or R22 ??
Both the refridergants do not 'used up' over the time like petrol in cars, the only reason why you should ever refill is because there is some kind of leakage in your piping system or it was not sufficiently charged in the first place.

So how now??? Get a R22?
Health Partners answer? Yes...go for R410A. For the environment.

source:http://singapore-aircon-r410a.blogspot.com/.../cvxc.html