ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has released a new technical bulletin for its members entitled, “Replacing R-22 Systems with R-410A Systems.”

Written by ACCA’s Donald Prather, this bulletin outlines the steps needed when replacing one refrigerant system with another. R-410A cannot be used as a “drop-in” replacement for R-22; the higher operating pressures will damage R-22 compressors and components. Additionally, many R-410A units have a larger footprint than their R-22 counterparts. When complete HVAC system change-outs are planned, space allocation must be reevaluated.

According to the bulletin, “Contractors who are not installing and maintaining R-410A systems will soon find themselves unable to compete in the HVACR industry.” Effective Jan. 1, 2010, R-22 may not be used in new systems, and HVACR equipment manufacturers have increased production of systems that use R-410A.

The bulletin is available at no charge, for ACCA members only, at www.acca.org/bulletins.

Publication date: 10/13/2008