📖 Glossary, Concept
What is a refrigerant?
The working fluid that carries heat out of a refrigerator. Modern units often use flammable R-600a isobutane.
Refrigerant absorbs heat by boiling at low pressure inside the evaporator and releases it by condensing at high pressure in the condenser. Older domestic units use R-134a. Many current ones use R-600a (isobutane), which is efficient and environmentally benign but flammable, requiring specific handling procedures during service. Refrigerant is not consumed, a system low on charge has a leak, and topping it up without finding that leak simply sells the same failure twice.
Where you’ll meet it
Repairs that involve refrigerant
Related terms
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