Does Your AC Use Gas? Refrigerant and Freon Explained
Your air conditioner runs on electricity. What it does use is refrigerant, often called Freon. Here is what that is, which kind your system has, and what it means when it runs low.
Does an air conditioner use gas?
No. A central air conditioner runs on electricity. When people say an AC "uses gas," they usually mean one of two things: the refrigerant inside the system, which is a gas for part of its cycle, or a gas furnace that shares the same indoor blower and ducts. The AC part never burns natural gas.
What is Freon?
Freon is a brand name that became the everyday word for AC refrigerant. Refrigerant is the fluid that carries heat out of your house: it absorbs heat at the indoor coil, the compressor pumps it outside, and the outdoor coil releases the heat. It cycles between liquid and gas in a sealed loop.
- R-22: found in older systems. U.S. production and import ended in 2020, so the remaining supply is limited and expensive.
- R-410A: the standard in most systems installed over the last 15 years. It is being phased down, but existing systems can still be serviced.
- R-454B and R-32: lower-impact refrigerants used in many new residential systems.
Your system's refrigerant type is printed on the outdoor unit's data plate.
Does refrigerant run out?
No. Refrigerant is not used up like fuel. If a system is low, it has a leak. Adding refrigerant without finding the leak only buys time, and the problem comes back. A good technician measures the charge, looks for the leak, and tells you whether repairing it makes sense for the system's age.
Signs your AC may be low on refrigerant
- Air from the vents is cool but not cold, and the system runs much longer than it used to.
- Ice on the indoor coil or the larger copper line at the outdoor unit.
- A hissing or bubbling sound near the unit or lines.
- Higher electric bills with no change in use.
These signs have other causes too, such as a dirty filter or coil, so the charge needs to be measured with gauges before anyone adds refrigerant. Handling refrigerant requires EPA certification.
If your system uses R-22
An R-22 system can often still be repaired, but each refrigerant top-off costs more as supply shrinks. If a major part fails on an older R-22 system, it is worth comparing the repair against replacement. Cowboy's puts both prices in writing. If another company has told you replacement is your only option, ask for our free second opinions.
Frequently asked questions
Does central air conditioning use natural gas?
No. Central AC runs on electricity. A home may also have a gas furnace for heat that shares the same blower and ducts.
Is Freon the same as refrigerant?
Freon is a brand name commonly used for AC refrigerant in general. Most systems today use R-410A or newer refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32, not R-22.
Does AC refrigerant need to be refilled every year?
No. Refrigerant circulates in a sealed loop and is not used up. If a system needs more, it has a leak that should be found.
Can I still get R-22 for my old AC?
Reclaimed R-22 is still sold for servicing, but it is limited and expensive. Compare the repair cost with replacing an older system.
How do I know what refrigerant my AC uses?
Check the data plate on the outdoor unit. It lists the refrigerant type and charge.
Related service: AC repair in San Antonio · free second opinions. Cowboy's AC answers 24/7 at (210) 495-7771.
