Freon is an acronym for dry frost prevention. It was once a standard cooling agent in many home applications. Due to safety concerns, its use as a cooling agent has been limited.
Today, it is very rare to see it in consumer products due to this limited use. However, it still has its place as a standard protection against dry frost. Most notablely, it is used as an air conditioner protects the home from hot air that would otherwise be trapped within vacant spaces within the home.
It also plays a pivotal role in ice cream socials and cooler-making! People who enjoy cold weather activities typically purchase special-purpose products to keep cool. These can range from containers of frozen vegetables or fruits, to water bottles packed with ice and water!
This article will go more into depth on what Freon is and does, giving you the chance to determine if it needs help during wintertime preservation.
Contents:
What is the history of freon?
Freon was an important component of almost every refrigerator until the late 1990s, when it was discovered that it could contribute to global warming.
At the time, there was a concern for future generations to know that they had to open a door to cool off their food!
Today, freon is rare and expensive, mostly found in high-end appliances. It can be difficult to find, as most modern appliances have none!
Most freon is made by four different companies: Dow Chemical Company, Allied Signal Corporation, General Electric Company, and Sealed Air Corporation. All of these companies control their brands and distribution channels, making it hard to determine what you are buying.
Where is freon used?
Freon is a chemical used in thermal insulation. It does not exist in the natural world, but when it is required it is important to get freon!
Freon was originally developed for use in appliances, such as refrigerators and freezer machines. When these devices are used, they require power to operate.
Because of this, freon has been carefully measured and packaged to be used only once. Some places require more than one can of freon!
To be effective, a unit of freon must be put into a sealed container with an insulated solution and stored in a cool, dry place.
How is it stored?
Freon is one of the few chemicals that can not be found in a liquid or powder form. It is a gas, so it must be put into a container and then mixed with air!
Freon was first developed in the late 1930s by Shell Oil as an insulation material. It was first used in commercial dry-vacuum insulation applications in the early 1940s, where it was paired with helium to make it more portable.
By the end of the decade, refrigeration and thermal insulation applications were common, and modern chemical insulating agents are rare. Today, chemical insulating agents such as ETFTon are typically paired with Styrofoam to help preserve your furniture from the heat and humidity.
Because of its longevity, today only critical infrastructure entities use Freon for thermal insulation.
What are the concerns with using freon?
There are several concerns with using freon in homes. Both the manufacturer and building professionals are looking into ways to limit its use in buildings.
Recent research has confirmed that human exposure to cooler air via window air conditioners is safe. However, recent studies have suggested that small children and the elderly may be more susceptible to heatstroke when exposed to cooling technology.
In addition to heatstroke, cooling technology can cause thermo-alematio-tenden-cy, or thermo-Alamatology. This can cause minor abnormalities in the body such as increased sweat production and redness of the skin.
Because of these concerns, only licensed healthcare professionals should provide Thermaltic Technology (Therm A) technology repair services.
Is there a good alternative to using freon?
Though it may seem strange to use a refrigerator without a cooling system, there are several reasons why you should consider using one.
An alternative to using a temperature-changing device like an electric refrigerator or freezer, is the use of a Thermador. These can be plugged in and operated via radio waves or computer software.
This is the way many people now store their food for long-term preservation, as well as Laminarheat technology which guarantees quick preservation by distributing its temperature slightly more widely than an electric unit.
Another alternative is the use of a traditional Dutch door freezer. This allows you to safely store food for longer than an open-air freezer does due to the protection from weather and freezing process.
What is the effect of freon on the environment?
Freon is a chemical used to cool objects during storage and shipping. It is also one of the few chemicals that can be reintroduced into the environment after it has been destroyed.
Freon was first introduced in 1956 as a way to reduce energy consumption and cooling during thermal imaging applications. Today, it is used in many places, including home audio systems, electronics cases, and case liners.
Its main use today is in computer cases, where it serves as a dust suppressant and protection. Because it can be so widespread, there are very few regulations in place for its use.
However, there are regulations that do apply to companies using freon, especially when large amounts are needed.
Should I replace my home AC system that uses freon with a new one that does not use it?
Replacing a home air conditioner or ceiling fan with a new one that does not use freon can be dangerous. There are proper ways to store and handle freon and clearing it from your home is an important step in storing and transporting it.
Home air conditioners contain windows or doors to allow air in and out. If these openings are removed without first introducing the freon, then there is no way to ensure it is stored safely.
A common way to store freon is in a sealed container behind a door or window. Another method is to put it inside a room where there will be ample circulation of air for weeks until it is used up.
What should I consider when choosing a new home AC system that does not use freong>
When deciding whether or not you want a new home AC system, look beyond the cost and size of the unit. These important factors can be difficult to calculate when buying a new system, as they are added on during manufacturing process.
To put it in perspective, a unit that is 120v will cost more than one that is 240v. Also, while both 120 and 240 v units can be an upgrade from the previous version, there are certain areas where one will benefit more than the other.
Home cooling accounts for a large portion of an individuals offseason spending, so choosing one that is too small may affect yourhealth would seem like an excessive waste of money when it has no effect on you or your guests but does on our home comfort.