R-454A Pros, Cons & Comparisons to Other Refrigerants

 

You probably won’t need to understand what R-454A refrigerant is or why it’s important unless you work in the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) industry.

Nonetheless, the industry has taken notice of its introduction, and sooner rather than later, it might be found in your new heat pump or air conditioner.

The good news is that you don’t need to be aware of the refrigerant type that your system uses. An HVAC contractor should handle that. However, you’ll be pleased to learn that no equipment needs to be changed. As long as your current device is functional, it will serve you well.

The sooner the HVAC industry learns about this refrigerant, though, the better.

With a low global warming potential, a mildly flammable refrigerant called R454A is intended to replace R404A in new equipment designs.

In positive displacement, direct expansion, and low and medium-temperature commercial and industrial applications, R454A offers the best overall balance of attributes to replace R404A.

Benefits of R-454A

There are many different refrigerants on the market today, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. One refrigerant that is gaining popularity is R-454A, which is known for its energy efficiency and environmental benefits.

Some of the benefits of R-454A are:

• Easily used with POE lubricants
• Non-toxic and mildly flammable
• Very close match to R404A – easily convertible from the current design with minimal changes.
• Improved capacity and efficiency compared to R404A
• Mild global warming potential (GWP): 238

What if the Refrigerant in Your Current System is R-410a?

Again, as a homeowner, you probably don’t even know what refrigerant your air conditioner uses. However, many different types are outdated and phased out. If you have R-410a right now, there is nothing you need to do. However, in 2023, R-410A is expected to be phased out of all new systems.

Manufacturers stopped producing it a few years back due to the switch. Due to the shortage, the price has increased. This implies that the number of R-410A system refrigerant repairs will rise. However, it can be replaced with R-32, R-454A, R452B, R454B, R454C, and R457A. The two most common are R-32 and R454B.

While somewhat flammable and non-toxic, R-454A is safe for commercial products. It is thought that this refrigerant has a lower global warming potential (GWP).

Cons of R-454A

There are some drawbacks to using R-454A. One of these is that it may not be a good fit due to its low thermal conductivity. Additionally, it may require more maintenance than other refrigerants due to its high lubricity index (LI). A higher LI value means a slower rate of temperature-dependent viscosity change for the lubricant. If you’re considering using R-454A in your business, be sure to evaluate its potential risks and benefits carefully before making a decision. However, if you are working with an HVAC contractor, they should be able to explain this more in layman’s terms.

If you are an HVAC contractor with questions, we would certainly be happy to discuss those with you. Our team of professionals here at Absolute Refrigerants takes pride in fully understanding the different types of refrigerants, their benefits, and what to look out for. We understand that this market is forever changing and evolving due to the improvements in the chemical structure of the materials. Because of this, it can be hard to fully understand the differences between the different types. Call 480-625-4214 now to learn more and ask what would work best for your situation.

If you’ve decided that R-454A is the right refrigerant for your business, be sure to check out our available options.

source https://www.absoluterefrigerants.com/r-454a-pros-cons-comparisons-to-other-refrigerants/