You’ve heard people talk about needing to recharge the Freon in their air conditioner or heat pump. But do heat pumps actually use Freon? Discover what is meant by Freon, which heat pumps use it, and how to check the level to make sure your system has enough.
What Is Freon?
Freon is a trademarked brand of Chemours, a spin-off company from DuPont, and is used for marketing various refrigerants. Freon is more commonly used to refer to various halocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon, and hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants.
Many of these refrigerants are now strictly regulated by the Montreal Protocol of 1987 because they cause ozone depletion. This has led to many countries banning various refrigerants. Beginning in 2023, all HVAC systems installed in the United States that require a refrigerant will use R-454b.
Do All Heat Pumps Use It?
Yes, every heat pump, regardless of type, uses a refrigerant gas. The most common types of heat pumps around Phoenix are the air source models, which operate in a similar fashion to air conditioners. The refrigerant runs through the interior coil and then moves to the coil in the exterior unit.
Ground-source geothermal heat pumps are similar, except that the exterior coil is buried in the ground. There are also water source heat pumps, which have the coil go through a body of water. In open loop systems, it draws water into the heat pump, where the refrigerant transfers heat to and from the water.
Keeping an Eye on Your Refrigerant
In order for your heat pump to continue working correctly, it must have the right amount of refrigerant in the system. Some components may corrode and develop a small leak as it ages. Routine heat pump maintenance is the best way to keep an eye on your refrigerant’s level. Your technician will use specialty gauges to check your refrigerant level in addition to performing a deep cleaning to keep your system working efficiently.
Residents around Phoenix have turned to Brisk Air for more than 20 years to keep their homes comfortable. Our team keeps your home comfortably cool or warm with heating and cooling installation, maintenance, and repair services. Call to schedule your heat pump maintenance or repair to ensure you have the right amount of refrigerant in your system today.
