Refrigerant Comparison Chart
R-22, R-410A, R-454B, and R-32 side by side — ASHRAE 34 safety class, composition, temperature glide, global-warming potential, and what each replaces. This is the A1-to-A2L transition in one table: the older non-flammable refrigerants giving way to the lower-GWP A2Ls in new equipment.
R-22 / R-410A / R-454B / R-32
| Refrigerant | ASHRAE 34 | Composition | Glide | GWP | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-22 | A1 | HCFC-22 (single component) | 0°F | 1810 | Legacy — service (reclaimed) only; phased out of new equipment |
| R-410A | A1 | R-32 / R-125, 50/50 | ~0°F (near-azeotropic) | 2088 | Phasing down under the AIM Act; being replaced by A2Ls |
| R-454B | A2L | R-32 / R-1234yf, 68.9/31.1 | ~4–5°F | 467 | Primary R-410A replacement in new residential/light-commercial equipment |
| R-32 | A2L | Difluoromethane (single component) | 0°F | 677 | Mini-splits and some new equipment |
Reading the transition
The table tells the story of two shifts. The first, years ago, was R-22 (an ozone-depleting HCFC) giving way to R-410A (an HFC with no ozone impact). The second, happening now, is R-410A giving way to the A2Ls because of global-warming potential: R-410A's GWP near 2,088 fails the HFC phasedown, while R-454B (467) and R-32 (677) cut that by roughly two-thirds. The trade-off is flammability — the A2Ls are mildly flammable where the A1s were not — which is why new equipment adds charge limits and leak detection.
For the pressures behind each refrigerant, see the individual P-T charts: R-410A, R-454B, R-32, and R-22. Note that only R-454B carries meaningful glide, which is why its chart has two pressure columns and the others have one.
Common questions
What is replacing R-410A?
R-454B and R-32, both A2L refrigerants, are replacing R-410A in new equipment as R-410A phases down under the AIM Act. R-454B (Opteon XL41) is the primary choice for new residential and light-commercial systems; R-32 is common in mini-splits. Both carry far lower global-warming potential than R-410A.
What does A2L mean?
A2L is an ASHRAE Standard 34 safety classification: lower toxicity (the "A") and mildly flammable (the "2L", the lowest flammability tier above non-flammable). R-22 and R-410A are A1 — non-flammable. The A2Ls burn only weakly and with difficulty, but they still bring charge limits, leak detection, and service requirements that A1 refrigerants do not.
What is GWP and why does it matter?
GWP is global-warming potential — how much a gas traps heat relative to CO₂ over 100 years. It is driving the whole transition: R-410A’s GWP near 2,088 is why it is being phased down, and R-454B (467) and R-32 (677) were chosen largely because they cut GWP by roughly two-thirds while keeping similar performance.
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