R407C can continue to be used in existing systems, provided they remain in good technical condition and are regularly maintained. However, operators should consider transitioning to more environmentally friendly alternatives such as natural refrigerants in the long term.
A number of common refrigerants, including R134a, R410A and R407C, will be banned from use in new chillers in the USA from January 1, 2024.
The commonly used synthetic refrigerants such as R134a, R407C and R410A have a GWP value higher than 2,500. As a result, their production is being phased out.
Features and Benefits. Freon™ 407C has been a popular R-22 replacement because of its properties, which include: Similar cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and pressures as R-22 in systems. An ability to be topped off after a leak, multiple times, with minimal impact on system performance.
R407C is suitable for residential & light air conditioning and direct expansion air conditioning systems. It was chosen to replace R22 by many new equipment manufacturers and is also used in medium temperature refrigeration systems.
Opteon™ XP20 (R-449C) refrigerant is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) option that replaces R-22 and R-407C in residential and commercial air conditioners, as well as direct expansion chillers. It has similar performance and properties to R-22 and R-407C and can be used in both retrofit and new equipment.
New Regulations Effective from 2025
Monosplit systems with a refrigerant charge of less than 3 kg will no longer be allowed to use refrigerants with a GWP value above 750. This includes refrigerants like R410A and R407C, which will no longer be permitted in such systems.
Heating mode The compressor pressure ratio of R-407C was 0.7% to 9.3% higher than R-22 for the two heating mode test conditions.
Yes. With air-conditioning systems that are similarly optimized, the compressor discharge temperature in an R134a system shall be 18–30 °F (10–17 °C) lower than that in an R407C system.
Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians who have a license from the relevant state or federal government.
R22 (also known as HCFC-22) is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) once widely used as a refrigerant. If your home or office AC is over 10 years old, it's probably using R22 freon. However, R22 Freon is banned in the U.S. today.
Freon™ 407C exhibits similar performance to HCFC-22, while Freon™ 410A gives significantly higher pressure and refrigeration capacity.
Still, the answer is an emphatic, “No.” Not only would a retrofit of this type negate the environmental benefits of R-1234yf, but it would also be a violation of Federal Law under Section 203 of the Clean Air Act: “tampering” with a vehicle's emissions control device.
R-454B is the new refrigerant in 2024. By 2025, the EPA's required phaseout of R-410A will be in full effect, with production, importation, and distribution no longer allowed. HVACR businesses must be evaluating their current choices in coolant and ready to make the jump.
Can I use R32 in my existing air conditioning system? R32 can not be used as a drop-in replacement on existing R22, R407C and R410A systems.
The EU is currently revisiting R-1234yf emissions rules and may ban the substance in a few years. In the U.S., the EPA stands by its use.
R-1234yf refrigerant. To date, most auto manufacturers are using the hydro fluoro olefin (HFO) refrigerant R-1234yf as the replacement of choice for R134a.
XH-11 desiccant from UOP is compatible with Freon™ 407C, making it a suitable replacement for use in loose fill driers with these refrigerants.
By 2030, only 20% of the currently produced synthetic refrigerants can be brought to market. For this group of synthetic refrigerants, there is no use ban. This means that R134A, R407C, R407F, and R410A installations can still be refilled after 2030.
R404A, R134a, R407C and R410A cannot be used in the USA since Jan. 1st, 2021. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced two new regulations that, while banning the use of some existing refrigerants, have tightened regulations on leakage rate limits, thereby reducing HFC emissions.
If your system is running on R22 most likely is using mineral oil to lubricate the compressor. If you mix R407C with R22 inside your system the molecule of the HFC (R407C) gas will not link with the oil and in just few months of operation you will have a "sludge" like lubricant formation inside the circuit.
Average R407C prices range between $5 and $7 per pound. R407C is a blend of three components: R32, R125, and R134A. It is well-adapted for air conditioning applications and medium-temperature range chiller equipment.
Virgin refrigerants with a GWP equal or greater than 1,500 are banned starting January 1st, 2030. This would affect, R-410A, R-407A and R-407C for example. Virgin refrigerants with a GWP equal or greater than 750 are banned starting January 1st, 2033.
The best replacement for R-22 Freon is usually R-407c. It has a very low loss in capacity (0 – 5%) relative to R-22 and is less expensive than many other R-22 replacement refrigerants.
R-22 was a commonly used refrigerant that is being phased out because of its harmful impact on the ozone layer.