What is a common refrigerant used in HVAC systems?

R-410A is a common refrigerant used in modern HVAC systems and is notable for its efficiency and environmental considerations. It is a non-ozone-depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blend, making it a preferred choice among manufacturers looking to comply with regulations aimed at reducing ozone layer depletion.

Unlike older refrigerants, R-410A operates at higher pressures, which allows for better thermal efficiency and more compact system designs. This refrigerant is primarily used in new air conditioning systems and heat pumps, and it has largely replaced R-22 in these applications due to the phasedown of ozone-depleting substances.

In contrast, R-12 and R-22 are older refrigerants that have been phased out or are in the process of being phased out due to environmental concerns. R-134A is primarily used in automotive cooling systems and has distinct properties that do not align with the requirements of typical HVAC applications. Hence, R-410A is the optimal choice for contemporary HVAC systems.