The gas commonly used in air conditioning (AC) systems is refrigerant. Various types of refrigerants are used, including:
1. **R-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane)**: A hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that has been widely used but is being phased out due to environmental concerns.
2. **R-410A**: A hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that has become a popular alternative to R-22 because it does not deplete the ozone layer.
3. **R-134A**: Another HFC that is used in some AC applications, particularly in automotive systems.
4. **R-32**: A newer refrigerant with a lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410A.
Each refrigerant has different properties and environmental impacts, so the choice depends on the specific application and regulatory requirements.