Freon is a registered trademark of the Chemours Company and a generic descriptor for a number of halocarbon products. These products are stable, nonflammable, low toxicity gases or liquids that have generally been used as refrigerants and as aerosol propellants. Freon includes chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs), both of which cause ozone depletion and contribute to global warming. The brand name "Freon" is used for specific refrigerants, including R-12, R-13B1, R-22, R-410A, R-502, and R-503, manufactured by The Chemours Company.
Freon is technically a specific type of refrigerant and is the trademarked name for R-22 refrigerant. It is a non-combustible gas that is used in older AC units, including central air and mini-split systems. It circulates inside the AC unit, switching between gas and liquid forms to cool your home. Freon is just one type of AC refrigerant, and not all air conditioners use it to create cold air.
Freon is a colourless, odourless, nonflammable, noncorrosive gas or liquid of low toxicity that was introduced as a refrigerant in the 1930s. It is extremely stable and inert, and its low boiling points, low surface tension, and low viscosity make it especially useful as a refrigerant. Freon neither presents a fire hazard nor gives off a detectable odour in its circulation through refrigerating and air-conditioning systems.
