Refrigerant Guide
The most common refrigerants used in HVAC-R in Canada — classification, applications and replacement.
| Refrigerant |
Type |
GWP |
Application |
Class |
| R-134a |
HFC |
1 430 |
Medium-temp refrigeration, automotive |
A1 |
| R-404A |
HFC (blend) |
3 922 |
Low-temp refrigeration, freezing |
A1 |
| R-449A |
HFO (blend) |
1 397 |
R-404A replacement |
A1 |
| R-410A |
HFC (blend) |
2 088 |
Residential and commercial A/C |
A1 |
| R-32 |
HFC |
675 |
New-generation A/C |
A2L |
| R-290 |
Natural (propane) |
3 |
Small commercial systems |
A3 |
| R-744 |
Natural (CO2) |
1 |
Supermarkets, transcritical systems |
A1 |
| R-717 |
Natural (ammonia) |
0 |
Industrial, arenas, warehouses |
B2L |
GWP = Global Warming Potential. The lower the number, the better for the environment.
Class A1 = non-flammable, low toxicity. A2L = mildly flammable. A3 = flammable. B2L = toxic, mildly flammable.
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