I have a little pet peeve about the terminology used then people ask qustions about HVAC and appliace repair. Even worse when the so called experienced technicians answer these questions. Does anyone out there acutally know why you should NOT use the term "freon" when refering to the refrigerant charge in your A/C or appliance? I hope someone out there is smart enough to figure this one out.
2007-06-19 10:03:37 · 20 answers · asked by Condar_1 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First the answers are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG....
2007-06-19 10:11:46 · update #1
Stevetower.... you are on the right track.
2007-06-19 10:12:52 · update #2
Darren G.... You are also on the right track. Come one, someone has got to know the full answer. Just becuase it's not "freon" don't mean it safe for the ozone.
2007-06-19 10:24:27 · update #3
macw...your not as close to the correct answer as the last two. Let me give you guys a hint to a COMPLETE answer to this question. "Freon" is a trademark of Dupont.
2007-06-19 10:32:17 · update #4
Gee....where are all the HVAC guys on this one? They must not have really studied for that 608 univeral ticket. Just memorized it for little bit uh?
2007-06-19 10:34:40 · update #5
I'm not just refering to the fact "freon" is acutally a brand name per say... but a combination of some of the other answers in addition.
2007-06-19 11:25:14 · update #6
Well, I would say that you should use the term "refrigerant" when referring to the refrigerant charge in your A/C or appliance.
Freon (copyright DuPont) was outlawed due to the fact that it contained CFC's. (chloro-flouro-carbons), which were deemed by the EPA to be dangerous to the ozone layer.
And, it was in the 90's ( 1992 to be exact ) when the new laws regarding refrigerants and refrigerant reclamation took effect.
And, hell.... I'm not even an HVAC guy.
2007-06-19 16:02:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Freon is a Hydrocarbon gas that was used as a refrigerant years ago. It's use is now banned in many countries due to the negative effects it has had on the earth's ozone layer. Real Freon is now a tightly controlled substance in the US and can only be used by licensed professionals under certain circumstances. The term you should use when referring to this gas is refrigerant. What is used now is either the older R-12 or newer R-13 refrigerant. These gasses contain NO freon and are safe for the ozone layer.
Hope that helps!
2007-06-19 17:19:33 · answer #2 · answered by Darren G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This has always been one of my pet peeves too. When I use a refrigerant like R-22 or R-134 I state so. As far as everyone calling it freon I guess it was a brand name. Good luck Oh and R-12 is R-12 not Freon
2007-06-19 19:32:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We used to use freon 12 for domestic appliances and freon22 for commercial refrigeration. The components in freon were proved to be damaging to the atmosphere. As the world gets "greener", component gasses have become far more harmless, and the recycling of these gasses has become law. Current refrigerants are also tagged with an easily detectable trace chem, making it easier to find leaks. There has been a major advance in chemical engineering. Would you call your brand new cellphone a walkie talkie? Or your ipod a stereo?
2007-06-19 17:26:13 · answer #4 · answered by macw2233 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Freon" is what most people outside of the appliance/HVAC field generally call refrigerants. "Freon" is used because it became such a household term because of the publicity it got when it was being outlawed. Most smaller window or wall unit a/c's use R-22 or R-134a The newest, is R-410a, and is used mostly in the "Ductless Split Systems" or "Mini-Splits".
Pretty much all household refrigerators us R-134a.
It is NOT called freon, the "R" stands for "Refrigerant"
2007-06-24 13:21:27 · answer #5 · answered by jndevn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When helping people who are not technically trained, you use the terminology that they are comfortable with. Some will call it Freon(r) some will call it refrigerant, some will call it coolant, some may say Puron(r) 410a, some may say monochloroflouromethane, some will say "it not cold, make cold now." You can take 20 minutes out of your life to explain your personal irritation at something that has little to no relevance when helping someone, or you can just smile and say "yes, your Freon(r) is low," and go about your business.
My father was a physician and when he was explaining things to his patients, he would us simple terms that they could understand, rather than the technical terms that he would have to explain anyway, or they may feel uncomfortable asking, "I don't know what angiography is." It is called courtesy and customer service.
2007-06-19 22:55:56 · answer #6 · answered by OrakTheBold 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
freon is a brand name of a refrigerant manufacturer they were the original manufacturer therefor the most the most popular people today still refer to refrigerant gas as freon.
2007-06-27 12:08:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They do not use the term " Freon" because it isn't legal to use anymore. Now we have "Refrigerants" and several different ones depending on the application.Freon was banned as it destroys the ozone of the atmosphere. Now we have "314', "A22" ,and others.
2007-06-19 18:40:23 · answer #8 · answered by Stan K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know HVAC that well but I think you are eluding to the term "Freon" being inappropriate due to the proprietary name.
The same would be said for using Sheetrock, Drywall or Wallboard to describe gypsum board. Which is why Architects use quotes such as
"Tyvek" or approved equal.
on building plans.
2007-06-19 18:11:38 · answer #9 · answered by Paul C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
freon is another word for refrigerant, if want to be politically correct then use your terminology.i Wonder how much do you know about hvac,instead of concentrating on words
2007-06-27 16:20:15 · answer #10 · answered by luka 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋