R410A Phase Out Updates - What's the Alternative?

In this episode, we discuss the impending phase-out of R410A refrigerant. As the industry shifts toward more environmentally friendly alternatives, we compare the physical properties of two viable replacements: R32 and R454B.

We delve into the benefits and drawbacks of each refrigerant, exploring factors such as its global warming potential, energy efficiency, and flammability.

Join us as we explore the complex world of refrigerants and the exciting innovations driving the HVAC industry forward.

Refrigerants play a critical role in the functioning of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. They are responsible for transferring heat from the indoor or outdoor space to the refrigeration unit, allowing for temperature control. However, the impact of refrigerants on the environment is a growing concern. Many commonly used refrigerants have high global warming potential (GWP), contributing to climate change. In recent years, there has been a push to develop and adopt refrigerants with lower GWP, leading to the emergence of new refrigerants with unique properties.

Two such refrigerants are R32 and R454B. R32 is a pure hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant, while R454B is a blend of HFC and hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants. While both of these refrigerants offer lower GWP, they have unique properties that distinguish them from each other.

Both have similar performance to R410A. Both have a similar performance to each other. Both are classified as A2L, mildly flammable refrigerants. Both have a lower GWP than R410A.

R32 is a single-component refrigerant. It is a mildly flammable A2L refrigerant, meaning it can ignite in the presence of an ignition source but only under certain conditions. R32 has a low GWP of 675, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious companies.

R454B is a zeotropic blend of HFC and HFO refrigerants, 69% R32 and 31% R1234yf. It is a mildly flammable A2L refrigerant with a low GWP of 466. R454B was developed as a potential replacement for high-GWP refrigerants like R410A.