The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Brought to you by:

You are here: Home / Wordless Wednesday / Wacky Weds: Propane as a Refrigerant?

Wacky Weds: Propane as a Refrigerant?

propane-tank-infrared

This is an infrared shot of a propane tank I used in a class seeing if they could understand what they saw. I got to admit after going over the basics they did pretty good. Ahhh but what about the title, well would you believe that some HVAC companies are using propane as a refrigerant for residential HVAC systems that are leaking? I wouldn’t have believed it either till I got this email from the EPA…

EPA Warns Against Use of Refrigerant Substitutes That Pose Fire and Explosion Risk
Release Date: 07/01/2013

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is warning homeowners, propane manufacturers and sellers, home improvement contractors and air conditioning technicians of potential safety hazards related to the use of propane or other unapproved refrigerants in home air conditioning systems.

EPA is currently investigating instances where propane has been marketed and used as a substitute for HCFC-22 (R-22), a refrigerant that is widely used in home air conditioning systems.

Home air conditioning systems are not designed to handle propane or other similar flammable refrigerants. The use of these substances poses a potential fire or explosion hazard for homeowners and service technicians.

EPA is aware of incidents that have occurred both overseas and in the U.S. where individuals have been injured as a result of the use of propane and other unapproved refrigerants in air conditioning systems. We are investigating and will take enforcement actions where appropriate. Other names for these unapproved refrigerants include R-290, 22a, 22-A, R-22a, HC-22a, and CARE 40.

At this time, EPA has not approved the use of propane refrigerant or other hydrocarbon refrigerants in any type of air conditioner. Homeowners and technicians are strongly recommended to limit use of propane or other hydrocarbons to only those appliances specifically designed for these substances and that are properly marked to alert technicians that the equipment contains a flammable substance. EPA has approved the use of propane as a substitute refrigerant for R-22 in industrial process refrigeration systems and in new, stand-alone retail food refrigerators and freezers that are specifically designed to use flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants.

R-22 is being phased out of production and importation under the Montreal Protocol, an environmental treaty ratified by every country in the world designed to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances. EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program has already listed numerous refrigerants with improved environmental, health and safety profiles and continues to evaluate other refrigerants that can be used to replace R-22 and other ozone-depleting substances.

More information about the EPA’s SNAP program: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/
More information about R-22a and alternatives for air conditioning: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/r22a.html

As the saying goes – Don’t try this at home folks

 

Related posts:

Wacky Weds: Cellulose Duct Insulation?
Wacky Weds: Found the Leak...
Wacky Weds; Duck / Duct Tape is not meant for Ducts
Wacky Wednesday: Exposed Conduit?
Wacky Weds: Deck Railings?
Wacky Weds; Deck ledger & post failure
Wacky Weds: Baby it's cold out, even for this wall
Wacky Weds: Maintenance shmaintenace
  •  Tweet
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Filed Under: Wordless Wednesday July 3, 2013 By SLS Leave a Comment

Featured Posts

January - Mid Winter Maintenance Checklist

Welcome to the start of a New Year, and the first full month of winter. This is the time of the year when many individuals try to wipe the slate ...

Read More

Preventing or fixing frozen water pipes

Updated: This article was originally posted in early 2010 after the Alabama Department of Health issued the following warning via press release: Prolonged period of cold weather ahead prompts warnings to ...

Read More

BS4D: Saving on Heating Related Energy Costs

For the bulk of the year, energy costs are not a big concern to many and instead most calls relate to comfort, safety or health issues. We are now starting ...

Read More

FAQ - Do I need storm doors or windows?

As the weather starts turning colder many start wondering - should I replace my windows, get a storm door, install storm windows, or??? Shoot I live in an area governed ...

Read More

Common Sense Building: Build Radon Out

Common Sense Building: Build Radon Out

As many of you probably already know, January is National Radon Month. Just like CO, it is an odorless & tasteless gas; however, unlike CO there are no warning signs ...

Read More

FAQ: Ceiling fan direction - summer & winter

One of the biggest questions out there is which direction should my fan be running and how can I tell. You look at the switch and realize it isn't any ...

Read More

FAQ on Duct Cleaning: All Hype or Worthy Expense?

It must be spring time... I got the following in the mail just the other day: 5 different ads all for duct cleaning. With allergy season starting along with my ...

Read More

Random Glossary term

  • HRV

    This is an infrared shot of a propane tank I used in a class seeing if they could understand what they saw. I got to admit after going over the basics they did pretty good. Ahhh but what about the title, well would you believe that some HVAC companies are using propane as a refrigerant for […]

The HTRC - Copyright © 2006–2021 by TheHTRC.com & SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC http://SLS-Construction.com