Which refrigerant is commonly phased out due to environmental concerns?

The refrigerant R-22 is commonly phased out due to its harmful impact on the ozone layer. It is classified as a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), which means it contains chlorine, a substance that contributes to ozone depletion. As a result, regulatory measures, such as the Clean Air Act in the United States, have been implemented to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of R-22 in new HVAC systems. The transition to more environmentally friendly alternatives is essential to help protect the ozone layer and mitigate climate change.

In contrast, other refrigerants listed, such as R-410A and R-134A, have also faced scrutiny but for different reasons. R-410A, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), is being pushed for eventual phase-out due to its global warming potential, but it has not been as heavily regulated as R-22 in terms of its impact on the ozone layer. R-32 is seen as more environmentally friendly with a lower global warming potential than some of its predecessors, and R-134A is also moving toward phase-out but at different rates and due to different environmental concerns. Thus, R-22 is recognized specifically for its damaging effects on the ozone layer, leading to its phased