R22, R410A, R404A, and R454B: Which Refrigerant Do You Need?

R22, R410A, R404A, and R454B: Which Refrigerant Do You Need?

R22, R410A, R404A, and R454B are all important refrigerants, but they serve different equipment categories. Buying the wrong one can cause serious service problems.

R22 is commonly associated with older residential and light commercial AC systems. It can still be used for servicing existing equipment, but supply is limited because new production and import have been phased out.

R410A is widely used in residential and light commercial AC systems and heat pumps manufactured after the R22 transition. It remains important for servicing existing systems, even as new equipment moves toward lower-GWP alternatives.

R404A is commonly used in commercial refrigeration, including walk-in freezers, supermarket refrigeration, and food storage systems. It is not a residential AC refrigerant.

R454B is a newer lower-GWP refrigerant used in certain new HVAC systems. It is not a drop-in replacement for R410A unless the equipment is specifically designed and approved for it.

The best way to choose refrigerant is to check the equipment nameplate. If the label says R22, use R22. If it says R410A, use R410A. If it says R404A or R454B, follow that exact specification.

For online buyers, also confirm certification requirements, cylinder size, factory-sealed condition, and shipping coverage before ordering.

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Browse R22, R410A, R404A, and R454B refrigerant cylinders.

FAQ

Which refrigerant is for older AC systems?
Many older AC systems use R22.

Which refrigerant is for home AC?
Many existing home AC systems use R410A, while newer systems may use R454B or other alternatives.

Which refrigerant is for walk-in freezers?
R404A is commonly used in commercial refrigeration and freezer systems.

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