Freon is a brand name for a family of chemicals known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Freon was first synthesized in the late 1920s, and it was quickly adopted by refrigeration companies because of its many uses. Freon is used in the manufacturing of aerosols, air conditioners, refrigerators, heat pumps and freezers, foam insulation, fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, and household cleaning products.