There are many things that work together to deliver a satisfying cooling experience for you and your loved ones, and one of these is your air conditioner’s refrigerant. Refrigerant is a substance that absorbs the heat from the air that enters your unit, which optimizes the cooling process that your air conditioner undergoes. And in case you didn’t know, there are actually several types of AC refrigerants, with the most popular ones being R32 and R410A.
What is R32 Refrigerant?
R32 is a type of refrigerant that falls under the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) category, containing only fluorine and no chlorine, which makes it less harmful to the ozone layer. It is known for its high efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to other refrigerants. R32 has no ozone depletion potential and has only about one-third of the global warming potential of R410A, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.
R32 is increasingly being used as a replacement for R410A in air conditioning systems due to its superior energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
What is R410 Refrigerant?
R410A is a popular type of refrigerant that falls under the hydrofluorocarbon category. This means it contains fluorine but no chlorine or bromine, making it less harmful to the ozone layer. R410A is a blend of R-32 and R-125 refrigerants and is known for its relatively low power consumption and reduced environmental impact compared to some older refrigerants. R410A replaced R22 refrigerant, which was commonly used in Japan, Europe, and the United States.
R32 vs R410A: What’s the Difference?
Ozone Depletion Potential
Just as the name implies, Ozone Depletion Potential refers to the amount of damage that a certain substance can cause to the ozone layer. Fortunately, both R32 and R410A refrigerants have 0 ODP.
Global Warming Potential
Global Warming Potential refers to how much certain substances can contribute to global warming. In this regard, R32 is a better option as it only has a GWP of around 675. On the other hand, R410A has a GWP of 2,088.
Cooling Efficiency
R32 has better cooling efficiency than R410A due to its higher refrigeration capacity and better heat transfer, both of which allow it to absorb and release more heat during the cooling process. R32 also experiences lower pressure drops and operates at lower discharge temperatures, which means that the other components of your AC won’t have as much workload, allowing your unit to function more efficiently.
Cost Effectiveness
R32 is the much more cost-effective option because it offers higher energy efficiency and a smaller refrigerant charge, leading to lower electricity bills. There’s also the fact that units that operate on R32 refrigerant require less refrigerant than those that utilize R410A refrigerant, reducing refilling costs.
Pressure
Since R32 is a single-component refrigerant, it typically operates at lower pressures and is generally easier to handle. In contrast, R410A is a blend of R32 and R125 refrigerants, which results in higher operating pressures compared to R32 alone.
R32 vs R410A: Can You Switch From One to the Other?
No, you can’t switch from one refrigerant to another. Air conditioners are designed for a specific type of refrigerant, whether R32 or R410A and will only operate with their designated refrigerant type. Switching from one refrigerant to another will result in inefficient operation, reduced cooling, and potential damage to your air conditioner.
Why is R32 Replacing R410A?
R32 is replacing R410A because of its significantly lower environmental impact. Compared to R410A, R32 refrigerant has no ozone depletion potential and only a third of R410A’s global warming potential. This makes it much more efficient and environmentally friendly, with a much lower greenhouse effect.
In 2020, the US Congress passed the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which mandates the phasing down of HFCs like R410A in favor of more environmentally friendly alternatives such as R32, to reduce the global warming potential produced by air conditioners. Most countries are also planning to phase out R410A by 2025 in favor of R32.
R32 vs R410A: Which One is Better?
Overall, R32 is a superior refrigerant option compared to R410A. It has a significantly lower environmental impact and offers better energy and cooling efficiency. Additionally, R32 is easier to handle due to its reduced refrigerant quantity and lower operating pressures.
If you have an older unit that needs to be replaced, then make sure that you choose a new unit that uses R32 refrigerant. However, that doesn’t mean that you should immediately replace your air conditioner that works on R410A. Remember that your air conditioners are significant investments that are meant to last for several years.
Your choice of refrigerant can provide improved efficiency and environmental benefits over the long term. And to ensure that you’re not sacrificing your cooling and overall comfort, make sure that you regularly top up your refrigerant. You can either do this yourself or leave it to the professionals by booking an AC gas top up appointment, regardless of what refrigerant your unit runs on.
