Air Conditioning Repair Certification (ETI) Practice Exam

The most commonly used refrigerant in modern air conditioning systems is R-410A. This refrigerant is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blend designed to replace R-22, which has been phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties. R-410A has several advantages, including being more energy-efficient, which helps in reducing operating costs and enhancing overall system performance. Additionally, it operates at higher pressures than R-22, allowing for the development of more compact and efficient cooling systems.

Using R-410A also aligns with global efforts to minimize the impact of refrigerants on climate change, as it has a lower global warming potential compared to some of its predecessors. This makes it a suitable choice for energy-conscious designs that comply with environmental regulations and standards set by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In contrast, R-22 and Freon-12 are older refrigerants that are being phased out or are already banned due to their harmful effects on the ozone layer. R-134A is typically used in automotive air conditioning and has been phased out in many applications due to its environmental impact, making R-410A the preferred option for residential and commercial air conditioning systems today.