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Comparison of Refrigerants R22 & R421

New refrigerants are on sale to replace older versions of refrigerants that have adverse effects on ozone depletion, such as R22. One such alternative is the refrigerant R421, which comes in two different formats, R421A and R421B.

  1. Composition

    • R22 refrigerant is a pure substance and only contains the chemical cholordifluoromethane. Both R 421A and R 421B are blends of the same two pure refrigerants. R421 A is made up of 42 percent 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 58 percent pentafluoroethane. R421B is composed of 15 percent 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 85 percent pentafluoroethane.

    Characteristics

    • R421 refrigerant does not have unacceptable ozone depletion characteristics, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whereas R22 is no longer sold in the U.S. because of its harmful atmospheric effects. Both R421 and R22 are nonflammable and nontoxic, but can have adverse effects in the event of skin contact, inhalation and ingestion.

    Uses

    • R421 can be used to replace R22 in refrigerant systems if the system can be converted to use the newer refrigerant.

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