R32, R452B, R454B: Which lower-GWP refrigerants can you use to replace R410A? (2023)

FAQs

Can you replace R410A with R454B? ›

It is important to note that as a mildly flammable refrigerant, R-454B cannot be retrofitted into existing R-410A or R-22 systems.

RS-53 (R470A) is a new non-flammable Drop-in replacement for R410A with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) less than half that of R410A. RS-53 (R470A) has a similar thermodynamic performance to R410A with matching energy efficiency and cooling capacity.

Now, 13 years later, R-410a is being replaced by R-32 and R-454b. All to decrease 1. ozone depletion potential and 2. global warming potential.

No. R32 is not suitable as a drop-in replacement for R410A and must only be used in systems specifically designed for R32.

R410-a will be replaced by A2L refrigerants, which are a class of refrigerants that have higher efficiency and lower GWP (Global Warming Potential). The two foremost R410a replacements are R-32 and R-454B. R-32: Zero ozone depletion.

ECO-32 is a blend of high purity propane R290 and ethane R170. It is a reduced global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant. It is designed to replace R410a and R32 in most stationary residential and commercial air conditioning systems.

An environmentally more benign refrigerant for replacing refrigerant R410A includes a majority portion of refrigerant R32 and a minority portion of refrigerant R134a, the volumetric capacity of the replacement refrigerant permitting it to be used as a near or exact drop-in replacement for refrigerant R410A in terms of ...

R-454B has a GWP of 466, which is 78 percent lower than R-410A's GWP. R-454B is non-toxic and mildly flammable, with an ASHRAE safety classification of A2L.

Yet even they have reported phasing out R-32 in 2023 for an alternative with even lower GWP scores. Still other refrigerant alternatives that can meet the new environmental standards are under development such as R-466a by Honeywell, the first nonflammable, low-GWP option.

After conducting various test of every variation of R290 mass, it can be concluded that the charged mass of 33.88% R290 shows that it can be considered to be used in retrofitting air conditioner from R410A into R290 even though its compressor power consumption is higher than R410A.

Can I replace R410A compressor with R-22 compressor? ›

You cannot just switch refrigerants because R410-A and R-22 have different chemical properties. R410-A operates at a higher pressure. If you put R410-A into an R-22 system, the parts will rupture due to the increased force.

Beginning next year, new cooling systems will contain a refrigerant called R-454b with a lower global warming potential. This refrigerant is more environment-friendly than its predecessors but also mildly flammable. You can rest assured our ACS Air Conditioning Services technicians know how to handle it safely.

In most cases R32 is the superior refrigerant when compared to R410A. While neither refrigerant depletes the ozone layer, R32 has a lower GWP and is easier to recycle. R32 also has lower operating and maintenance costs and is nowadays more common than R410A due to the phase out.

R32 operates at 1.6 times the pressure of R410A, so no problem re pressure. And R410A is just R32 with fire suppressant R125 added, so oils etc are compatible. So Replacing R32 with R410A is fine, but replacing R410A with R32 is not. You may void the warranty though.

Where can I buy R32? R32 is available from most refrigerant wholesalers and stationary air conditioning component suppliers.

R-410A is scheduled for elimination from all new systems in 2023. Many HVACR contractors are not prepared for the change, and there are many questions.

The Phase Out Will Happen Overnight

Originally the phase out of R-410A equipment was slated for January 1, 2023—for many reasons that goal is not going to be reached. For most HVAC applications (excluding VRF), the goal seems to be a ban on any refrigerant with a GWP greater than 750 by 2025.

Starting in 2023, new HVAC systems will no longer use R-410A. These systems will also be subject to new energy efficiency standards.

With the R22 phase out in 2020 due to its environmental impact, this is a common question for those looking to upgrade their system or change the refrigerant in their system. The answer is no, refrigerants should not be mixed. There are several reasons why mixing refrigerants should not be done.

Relatively, R32 has very low GWP compared to R22, and therefore leading R32 to be a potential substitute for R22.

Can you mix R134a with R32? ›

In the conventional refrigeration cycle (CRC), the mixture R32/R134a has a close performance to that is obtainable with pure refrigerant R22. However, the mixture R32/R134a in the NRC will result in a better performance.

The results exhibited that the most suitable refrigerants as R134a drop-in substitutes are R1234yf, R152a, R450A, and R513A. The pure R1234ze and its mixtures are not suitable drop-in replacements of R134a but can be a good alternative to R134a only in new refrigeration systems.

To date, most auto manufacturers are using the hydro fluoro olefin (HFO) refrigerant R-1234yf as the replacement of choice for R134a. The 2013 Cadillac XTS was the first U.S.made vehicle to use the new refrigerant. With a GWP of 4 (instead of 1,430 for R-134a), R-1234yf is more environmentally friendly.

Do you need a license to buy R-410A refrigerant? You do not need an EPA license to purchase R-410A. However, you do need a license to use it to charge a system. While we encourage responsible DIYers, there are some things you should definitely leave to a trained HVAC professional.

In fact, R-32 is a single component refrigerant, while R-454B is a blend that consists of nearly 70% R-32. R-32 has been safely used in over 160 million units in the US and around the world by more than 40 OEMs. In more than 100 countries. R-32 has become the global de facto to replace R-410A.

R410A is a common refrigerant for air conditioning and heat pumping applications, but has a GWP of 2088. Drop-in tests of three R410A low-GWP alternative refrigerants (R32, D2Y60 and L41a) in a 10.55 kW capacity split heat pump unit were performed.

R452A refrigerant – diversely optimal

Refrigerant R452A is ideal for new systems and as a replacement gas for R404A in low and medium temperature cooling solutions. Its GWP is 2,141, which is 45% lower than that of R404A (3,922). It is also a suitable replacement gas for R507A systems.

R32 has a GWP of 675. To put this into context, the most commonly used refrigerant R410A has a GWP of 2088, three times the GWP of R32.

Toxic substances like hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide are created when R32, like all fluorinated refrigerants, is burnt. Asphyxiation and freeze burns are also a risk.

Disadvantages:Different from R22 and R410A, the R32 is slightly flammable. But combustion will not occur unless three critical conditions are met, refrigerant concentration, constant oxygen, and an ignition source. In real practice, it's hard to meet all the combustion conditions.

Can R290 replace R32? ›

The explosion range for R32 is about 14.4%–29.3% by volume, and that for R290 is about 2.1%–9.5% by volume, which is much severer. It means that compared with R32, although R290 has very low GWP, it is more flammable.

From the results, R32 has better heating performance 4% for BTW and 8% in ATW application when compare with both R410A and R290. Consider to the refrigerant properties the changing of R410A to R32 can keep compressors stoke volume.

You can use the R-407C in the R-410 system - IF it has a piston metering device. If there is a TXV - that will have to be changed to R-407 as well. When you are choosing the new TXV bear in mind that the system capacity will be 33% lower than it is with R-410.

If you use R-22 in the same system as R-410a, the compressor is going to be trying to work two different fluids through the same coils as both refrigerants respond differently to different mechanical situations. As you might imagine, this isn't going to go well for your air conditioner or heat pump.

R410A is the most common, but others include R134a, R407C and R407A. These refrigerants cool interior spaces just as effectively as R22 with no ozone depleting characteristics and relatively low Global Warming Potential (GWP).

If that's so, then what R22 there is in the system can never evaporate under the higher suction pressure of R410a. It will just flood back to reduce the compressor life and will greatly reduce the system capacity.

A unit with R454B outperforms a unit with R32, with its extended cooling and heating capabilities particularly when the need is to deliver higher leaving hot water temperatures at lower ambient air temperatures. We also see improved seasonal efficiency for units running with R454B.

Although there are various types of refrigerants, R-32 is a new refrigerant currently receiving the most interest. Because R-32 efficiently conveys heat, it can reduce electricity consumption up to approximately 10% compared to that of air conditioners using refrigerant R-22.

The minimum SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating in 2023 increased from 13 to 14. This transition to SEER2 also includes efficiency increases for split systems in air conditioning and heat pumps.

✓ R32 has higher cooling efficiency, making it more energy efficient than R410A. ✓ Less R32 is required than R410A and it is easy to handle making refilling cost lower.

Is R32 newer than R410A? ›

R32 is a newer refrigerant gas becoming more popular in air conditioners. It is known for being more energy-efficient than r410a, which will save you money on your energy bill! R32 is also less damaging to the environment, which is important to many people.

R454B refrigerant is a hydro-olefin-based HFO refrigerant. It is ozone-depleted (ODP = 0) and has a low GWP value of 467. This is 78% less than R410A. In addition, it is very close to R410A and in some cases, it even offers superior cooling capacity and efficiency.

R-410A is scheduled for elimination from all new systems in 2023. Many HVACR contractors are not prepared for the change, and there are many questions.

An environmentally more benign refrigerant for replacing refrigerant R410A includes a majority portion of refrigerant R32 and a minority portion of refrigerant R134a, the volumetric capacity of the replacement refrigerant permitting it to be used as a near or exact drop-in replacement for refrigerant R410A in terms of ...

R32 has a higher compressor discharge temperature than R410A, and will increase wear on the compressor, reducing its life significantly.

A unit with R454B outperforms a unit with R32, with its extended cooling and heating capabilities particularly when the need is to deliver higher leaving hot water temperatures at lower ambient air temperatures. We also see improved seasonal efficiency for units running with R454B.

Yet even they have reported phasing out R-32 in 2023 for an alternative with even lower GWP scores. Still other refrigerant alternatives that can meet the new environmental standards are under development such as R-466a by Honeywell, the first nonflammable, low-GWP option.

The Phase Out Will Happen Overnight

Originally the phase out of R-410A equipment was slated for January 1, 2023—for many reasons that goal is not going to be reached. For most HVAC applications (excluding VRF), the goal seems to be a ban on any refrigerant with a GWP greater than 750 by 2025.

All new home AC units in North America uses R410a, also known as Puron. But this refrigerant will consequently be phased out. This is due to a continued focus on reducing compounds known to have an effect on the environment.

The most common R22 replacement is R410-A, a refrigerant that does exactly the same thing, but without the ozone-depleting qualities. R410-A is also sold and marketed as: GENTRON AZ-20, SUVA® 410A, and PURON® — all of which are EPA-approved for your HVAC system.

What happens if you use R134a instead of R-1234yf? ›

Changing from R-1234yf to R-134a refrigerant may result in a system with incorrect refrigerant flow and heat exchanger mal-distribution which may cause a loss of cooling performance or durability concerns.