What was Freon used for in the past?
Freon™ was once a common refrigerant for household appliances. In addition to being used as a refrigerant in refrigerators and freezers, Freon™ was also used in air conditioning systems, firefighting systems, and as an aerosol propellant. The widespread production and use of Freon™ led to an accumulation of the chemical in the environment.
How did chemists come up with new refrigerants?
Because CFCs worked so well as refrigerants, chemists had to be creative in finding replacements that worked as well, were also nontoxic and nonflammable, and would not harm the ozone layer. The first place chemists looked was at other types of halocarbons.
When to know when a refrigerator needs more Freon?
Freon is the trademarked name for a liquid refrigerant used in refrigerators as well as air conditioners, heat pumps and other appliances used in heating and cooling. If your refrigerator fails to keep food cold, you may think that the unit needs more Freon.
When did Freon phase out in the United States?
Though Freon/R-22 is an excellent refrigerant, it has catastrophic effects on the ozone layer if released. For this reason, an official Freon phaseout began in the early 1990s. The last R-22 equipment was manufactured in 2009, and as of January 2020 only existing or recycled R-22 is available in the U.S. How Do I Know What My AC Uses?
What happens if you inhale too much Freon?
Freon is a dangerous substance. This almost odorless and tasteless gas can cause severe symptoms if a person inhales too much at once. Because refrigerants cut off the oxygen supply, some people…
When is Freon no longer produced in the United States?
As of 1 January 2020, the chemical HCFC-22, which a principal component of the trade-named refrigerant “Freon,” will no longer be produced in or imported by the United States.
What kind of refrigerant is Freon used in?
(Error Code: 100013) Freon is the brand name for a series of manufactured gases used as refrigerants. Examples include R-12, often used in refrigerators, and R-22 (also called HCFC-22), used in home air conditioning units. As of January 2020, R-22 is no longer made in or imported into the U.S.
Can you get refrigerant poisoning from an air conditioner?
Refrigerant poisoning can occur if a person inhales or consumes the chemicals — also known by the brand name of Freon — from cooling appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners.