Are you preparing to recharge an air conditioner or refrigeration system that has leaked?
It is very important to inspect the lines and check for leaks with a combustible gas leak detector that is designed to sniff flammable gas, hydrocarbons and Freon. Repair all leaks before proceeding. Re-inspect with the combustible gas sniffer after the leaks have been repaired. You must be 100% certain the system is leak free. Leaking refrigerant is bad for our environment, expensive and dangerous.
Recharge the air conditioner with the correct refrigerant!
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cautioned homeowners, manufacturers of propane-based refrigerants, home improvement contractors and air conditioning technicians. There are safety hazards related to the use of propane in existing motor vehicle and home air conditioners, as well as refrigeration systems.
A number of refrigerants with “22a” or “R-22a” in the name contain highly flammable hydrocarbons, such as propane. These refrigerants are being marketed to consumers seeking to recharge existing home and motor vehicle air conditioning systems that were not designed to use propane or other flammable refrigerants. These refrigerants have never been submitted to the EPA for review of their health and environmental impacts and are not approved for use in existing air conditioning systems.
Using propane-based refrigerant in an air conditioner or refrigeration system that is not designed for flammable refrigerants poses a serious threat to homeowners as well as service technicians. This is because the systems that are recharged with “22a” refrigerants can catch fire or explode resulting in injury, equipment damage and property damage. EPA is investigating instances where propane-based refrigerants have been marketed and used as a substitute for HCFC-22 (R-22) and is taking enforcement actions where appropriate.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA has issued a press release,titled “EPA Warns Against the Use of Refrigerant Substitutes That Pose Fire and Explosion Risk” (July 1, 2013).
