R410A has been the dominant air conditioning refrigerant for years, but its high GWP (~2088) puts it firmly in the F-Gas phase-down. If you’re specifying new equipment or planning ahead, here are the alternatives.
For new equipment
- R32 (GWP ~675) — the leading replacement in new split AC and heat pumps; efficient and widely supported
- R454B (GWP ~466) — used in new equipment as a closer match to R410A’s performance with an even lower GWP
An important point on retrofits
R410A operates at high pressures, and it isn’t simply swapped for a different gas in existing equipment. The lower-GWP replacements (R32, R454B) are primarily used in new systems designed for them, rather than as drop-ins to existing R410A units.
Planning ahead
As R410A becomes scarcer and more expensive, designing new installations around R32 or R454B future-proofs them. For existing R410A systems, plan for eventual replacement and keep them well maintained and leak-free in the meantime.
FAQ
Can I put R32 in an R410A system? No — they have different pressures and properties; R32 is used in equipment designed for it, not as a retrofit into R410A units.
Find R32, R454B and more in our online shop.