Air Conditioners (ACs) and HVACs are your only companion during the scorching heat of summers in Dubai. But did you know that behind the clockwork, there is an underrated component that helps ACs and HVACs keep you cool? This component is a gas used in AC that plays a crucial role in enabling ACs and HVACs to keep your room cool. However, these gases used in ACs need to be topped up from time to time to ensure that your AC functions optimally throughout the summer.
Which Gas is Used in AC and HVAC?
Umpteen types of refrigerant gases are considered the best gases used in ACs and HVACs around the world. In the UAE, there are the 6 most popular gases used in ACs that are readily available from leading suppliers like Al Imran AC Spare Parts. These are –
R-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane)
R-32 (Difluoromethane)
R-410A (Difluoromethane + Pentafluoroethane)
R-134A (Tetrafluoroethane)
R-1234YF (Tetrafluoropropene)
R-407C (R-410A + Tetrafluoroethane)
However, all of this jargon can often be confusing. So, let’s break down the benefits and drawbacks of each of these AC gases to understand which one can best suit your needs.
R-22: The Universal Gas Used in AC
R-22 or Chloro(difluoro)methane is a Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that first began to be used in ACs during the 1900s to 2000s. It is much safer for the environment than traditional Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) because it contains Chlorine. However, in some countries, it is still considered bad for the environment due to its higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) or Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).
If your AC or HVAC currently runs on R-22, then you need not worry because despite being not as good as newer refrigerant gases, it is still widely available in the market. In fact, it is still one of the most reliable gases used in ACs all across the UAE. If you wish to top-up R-22 gas in your AC, then you can opt for either Forane® R22, MAXRON R-22, ELIWELL R-22A, MAFRON R-22, REFRON R-22, or even WESTRON R-22.
R-32: The Zero Ozone Depletion Gas Used in AC
This gas is both colourless and odourless. It is a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) class of refrigerant gas that is easily available from reputed hvac equipment suppliers in the UAE like Al Imran AC Spare Parts. Just like its predecessor R-22, this gas also has a low GWP making it more environmentally friendly than CFCs.
If you are looking for a suitable gas used in AC or HVAC units, and especially for window AC units, then R-32 is an excellent choice. With its zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), you can remain stress-free and your cooling needs will not compromise the natural environment. One of the best R-32 gas used in AC available in Dubai is the MAXRON R-32.
R-410A: The R-22 Replacement Gas Used in AC
This gas is a careful blend of R-32 and Pentafluoroethane. It is therefore considered the best alternative to the older R-22 gas and even better than R-32 in some aspects. If you are looking for a gas used in AC that can provide you with higher efficiency, then you can safely opt for R-410A. In fact, newer AC and HVAC units that run on this gas, have a 60% higher cooling capacity than those that run on R-22.
While this gas is extremely efficient for ACs and HVAC systems, it is also frequently used in heat pumps for commercial purposes. But for common usage, you can rely on it to serve residential and light commercial purposes as refrigerant gas for AC. To purchase this gas, you can contact us at Al Imran Cooling Synergy and we can provide you with international brands like Fastcool and Forane® as well as in-house brands like MAXRON, ELIWELL, and WESTRON.
R-134A: The Multipurpose Gas Used in AC
Also known as Tetrafluoroethane, this gas is also an HFC class of gas used in ACs. But it is also considered fit for use in the cooling systems of automobiles. The R-134A is used today as a replacement for the environmentally harmful R-12 gas. You can consider using this gas in your AC because it is both non-toxic and non-corrosive.
One of the biggest advantages of using this gas in your AC is that its leakage can be easily detected by applying soap solution to the junctions of the cooling coils. However, it is recommended that you leave this to the experts. On the other hand, you can purchase this gas for your AC from reputed brands like Fastcool, Forane®, MAXRON, WESTRON, and ELIWELL.
R-1234YF: The R-134A Replacement Gas Used in AC
If you wish to have a minimal carbon footprint for either your household or office, then you can opt for the R-1234YF (also known as Tetrafluoropropene) gas used in AC. It is a great alternative to the R-134A and falls under the Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) class of refrigerant gases. It has one of the lowest GWP as well as ODP. If you are wondering which gas is used in ACs of carbon-neutral buildings, then it is R-1234YF.
The biggest benefit of using this gas is that it has the same operating pressure as that of R-134A. This means if you have an AC or HVAC unit that currently runs on R-134A, you can easily use R-1234YF in this system the next time you fill up its refrigerant gas. At Al Imran Cooling Synergy, we can provide you with one of the most reliable and efficient R-1234YF gases manufactured by our in-house brand WESTRON.
R-407C: The High-Performance Gas Used in AC
R-407C is a powerful blend of R-410A and R-134A, often giving it the moniker of the best of both worlds. This is because it is both an environmentally friendly replacement for other gases (such as R-12, R-22, and R-32) and highly efficient for commercial HVAC systems. Moreover, if you choose this gas, you can stand to benefit from being able to top it up multiple times after leakage. The best part is that this process will not hamper the cooling capacity of your commercial HVAC unit.
If you have an AC or HVAC unit that uses either R-12, R-22, or R-32, you will be able to seamlessly use R-407C as a replacement gas used in this AC or HVAC system. We can supply you with trusted brands of R-407C gas used in AC like Forane R407C Forane®, MAXRON, and WESTRON.
Which is the Best Gas Used in AC?
With the recent industry trends shifting towards sustainability and environmental consciousness, it is best to opt for refrigerant gases like R-1234YF and R-407C. These gases have the lowest GWP and ODP making them more environmentally friendly than the rest. At Al Imran AC Spare Parts, you can find not just the 6 types of refrigerant gases but several others. While the above-mentioned 6 are the most popular ones used in ACs and HVAC units, there are several others like R-290, R-404A, R-417A, R-507, and R-600.
Contact us to know in more detail about which gas can be used in your AC.
