Guest Idea: Why Your AC Is Leaking a Refrigerant That’s a ‘Super Greenhouse Gas’

Refrigerants have posed a threat to the environment for decades. A group of chemical compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was responsible for the ozone hole over Antarctica, which increased the risk of health problems from exposure to extreme levels of ultraviolet radiation. The world gradually phased it out, causing the ozone layer to recover.

The collective effort to avert an environmental disaster by banning CFCs is worth celebrating. However, their long-term replacements, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), have proved to contribute to global warming. Learn how they worsen climate change and about the things you can do to cool your home more sustainably.

Air conditioning equipment relies on refrigerant to cool spaces. As a liquid, it flows through the unit’s evaporator coil and absorbs heat from nearby warm indoor air. Then, this fluid boils and turns into cool, low-pressure gas. The compressor converts it into a hot, high-pressure gas, raising its temperature above that of the outside air as it enters the condenser coil outside. The refrigerant releases heat inside, as the fan blows air over the coil. Next, the gas condenses back into a high-pressure liquid as it cools. It passes through an expansion valve, sharply dropping its pressure and temperature. The fluid reenters the evaporator coil to absorb more heat, repeating the process.

The refrigerant in fridges and freezers works similarly. The fluid also undergoes evaporation, compression, condensation, and expansion to cool the interior and transfer heat to the room.

Most Common Refrigerants Used Today

The most common air conditioner refrigerant is R-410A. Also known as Puron, it’s an HFC, which means it doesn’t deplete the ozone layer but has a high global warming potential (GWP). Every ton of R-410A is equivalent to 7,308 tons of carbon dioxide, making it a potent greenhouse gas.

That’s why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun phasing it out. It no longer allows contractors to install HVAC equipment with R-410A manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025, in houses. This policy mandates that the construction and home improvement industries gradually transition to more eco-friendly refrigerants.

HVAC manufacturers are gravitating toward R-454B as the new standard for central air conditioning. Also known as Puron Advance, it’s a combination of HFC and hydrofluoroolefin. This blend contributes significantly less to climate change but has a safety designation of A2L, indicating low toxicity and a mildly flammable, low-burning-velocity profile.

For ductless ACs, HVAC brands are adopting R-32, a single-component HFC with a lower GWP and better recyclability.

Refrigerator makers are following the same trend. They’re decoupling from R-134a, the long-established refrigerant standard, as authorities begin phasing it down due to its high GWP. Its alternative is R-6000a or isobutane, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon found in crude oil and natural gas. This fossil-fuel derivative is still more sustainable than its predecessor, as it poses no threat to the ozone layer and has an ultralow GWP.

How You Can Be Part of the Solution

Soon-to-be-obsolete refrigerants harm the environment only when they escape from your cooling equipment. Although some causes of refrigerant leakage are challenging to stop, you can mitigate them with these tips.

Replace Your Older Unit

Aging equipment is more prone to damage. Constant vibration causes the tubes to rub together and loosen their sealed joints. Proper AC and refrigerator care only helps if you brush the coils with appropriate tools, as hard bristles and harsh chemicals can compromise the copper tubes.

Upgrading to a model with a more eco-friendly refrigerant reduces the risk of leakage and its negative environmental impact if it does occur. A modern system is more efficient, lowering your utility bills and helping pay for itself over time.

Seal Minor Leaks

Say you can’t afford to change appliances at the moment. The least you can do is to fix the leaks before they compound.

A good way to detect small causes of refrigerant leakage on your own is to monitor your energy usage. Any refrigeration equipment running low on this fluid operates inefficiently, translating into higher electricity bills.

For instance, your AC may be leaky if your electric consumption jumped from last month, even though your thermostat setting and cooling habits remained the same. A modern fridge uses nearly 1,575 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, so anything above that may indicate a lower refrigerant level.

Contact a qualified technician immediately if you notice that your unit underperforms. A professional should be able to identify and address the source of leakage, then recharge your appliance to restore its performance.

Embrace Preventive Maintenance

This appliance care strategy means scheduling a professional inspection at fixed intervals. It enables a credentialed technician to assess your equipment thoroughly and identify red flags early.

Learning about a potential refrigerant leak before it happens gives you time to weigh your options and make an informed decision.

In contrast, reactive maintenance risks letting your faulty appliance leak an HFC refrigerant, which has accounted for 4% of the atmosphere’s increased heating power since 1990. A full-blown leak is more expensive to repair than a minor one, so it may catch you financially unprepared.

The refrigerant crisis can accelerate global warming, but the ozone hole proves that no environmental problem is insurmountable. If you do your share, you can be a force for good and make a difference in the fight against climate change.

About the Author

Jane Marsh is the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co, a source of sustainable living ideas.

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