Refrigerant is a chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Most residential air-conditioning units contain the standard R-22 refrigerant, or freon.

Types of refrigerant:

R22

The old standard for residential air conditioners, now being phased out by the U.S. Lennox offers dry-charged units for those who still have R-22-compatible systems.

In 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced or imported. After 2020, only recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies of R-22 will be available. The production (not use) of R-22 is being phased out. You are not required to stop using R-22 air conditioners nor to replace existing equipment. 

The phase out period provides time to switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants when you normally would replace your air conditioner. 

In the future, R-22 supplies will be more limited and costs to service equipment with R-22 may rise. 

R-410A

A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the U.S. EPA's newest, most stringent environmental guidelines. R-410A was developed as an alternative to R-22 (freon), which will be phased out over the coming years in response to international environmental concerns.

R-410A contains no chlorine, so it’s not damaging to the atmosphere’s ozone layer. As an added benefit, Lennox laboratory analysis and independent testing have shown that R410A allows higher heat transfer than R-22, resulting in more efficient operation. So choosing an air conditioner with R-410A not only makes sense environmentally - it also makes sense from an economic standpoint.

Learn more about the difference between R-22 and R-410A refrigerants