What Do I Do If I Mixed R-22 and R410a Refrigerants? - Ask the Expert Episode 172

Sometimes people do things they shouldn't. And sometimes those things can completely destroy your HVAC system. Like mixing R-22 and R410a refrigerant. Video Script: Today's question comes from Jakob. "Hey Dan, I'm looking out for my father who accidentally mixed R-22 and R410a refrigerant in an R-22 ac system. He only put some in until realizing what he did. The air conditioner no longer runs and we need to get the gas sucked out in the next two days. Nobody is available to take the gas out for us. Is there a way we could do it ourselves?" Legally, no. You're really not supposed to handle refrigerant like vacuuming it and charging it without a license from the EPA, so I could not advise you to do that. In terms of the air conditioner, once you do get somebody there who can evacuate the system and get it fully pulled out, the unit should be okay unless you did run it and it had R-22 and R410a refrigerant at the same time. That would be bad. Have more questions about mixing R-22 and R410a refrigerant? Just ask them in the comments below or on Facebook or on Twitter. 
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Baxter hobson
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I want to have a 2 1/2 ton Goodman air handler installed with a Goodman 3 ton condenser. Will this combination work. Found a good deal on this on line and would like to purchase if it will perform ok together?
Sparky
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You say “that would be bad”... could you not nitrogen flush, pull a vacuum and weigh back in your 410 charge?
Kyle
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You could flush, pull a vacuum, and charge, but your compressor has probably already failed.
BR Wilson
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OMG this is exactly what my friend did about 3 weeks ago he said that it won't hurt because they are replacing R22 with 410.. My unit is still running and blowing cold. But now im worried it could blow up at any minute. He is a maintenance man who has charged my system before. What should i do other than taking him off my friends list?? Thanks in advance.
Kyle
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I would recommend you get a local HVAC pro to check your system. They may be able to head off any long term damage.
Alex
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So i accedentally put exactly 5lbs of 410a in my r22 recovery tank which had 18lbs of 22 in it. I charged it in the vapor port. Realised the mistake and have not touched it since. I know they have different densities. And 410 is a blend. Do you think it is logistically possible to salvage the 22. Or should I just put it in my burnout recycling bottle and send it back to dupont... Thanks
Kyle
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As far as I know, there is no way to separate the two without using really specialized chemical equipment. There are companies that will purchase refrigerant, and they can separate different compounds. For your purposes, not much you can do with it.
Kathy
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If the compressor is replaced can refrigerate be replaced?
Kyle
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That would be hypothetically possible, but difficult to say without specific system information.
John Mcdonald
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Why would the compressor fail?It will be protected by a high pressure switch no matter what kind of refrigerant was in it.Just pull out the charge and put new in.
Omar
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Is possible to put 438a freon insted to 410a ?
Dan Danowski
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438A is a replacement for R-22, so, yes, it could be used instead of R410A. I would make sure that its use is authorized the manufacturer, so that I didn't void any warranty coverage.
Diane
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410a was put in my r22 system and has been running fine. How long will it take to show problems?
Dan Danowski
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We don't have any empirical data on that. It could run fine for a bit, but eventually it will have problems.
Cindy
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I know you can mix r99 with a number of different freon but are they compatible together meaning. You have a system with R99 low on charge you use MO99(438a) and someone else later comes and it’s low again can you add 407c?
Rebekah Muller
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