R-454B, known commercially as Puron Advance™, is Carrier's refrigerant of choice for all ducted and ductless residential and light commercial applications.
Systems installed between 2010 and 2023 probably use R-410A, Puron, or an equivalent, non-ozone depleting refrigerant. If your system was installed in 2024 or beyond, it will likely use Puron Advance, also known as R-454B.
Carrier, Rheem, York/Coleman, Trane are all using R-454. Goodman/Amana, Daikin, and I believe Lennox are using R-32. Both of them will be prevalent and necessary to keep on service trucks.
Beginning in late 2024, R454B will replace R410A in all newly manufactured HVAC systems to meet these environmental goals. This change is in line with the EPA's SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) program, which ensures that the alternatives meet both environmental and safety standards.
Key Differences and Similarities
Perhaps the most significant difference between R-410A and R-454B is their Global Warming Potential (GWP). The former has a GWP of 2,088 while the latter stands at only 465. That means it is four times less potent than its counterpart [TABLE].
Will R-454B work in existing R-410A systems? No. R-454B is NOT a drop-in replacement for R-410A. Although many of the characteristics of R-454B are similar to R-410A, the use of R-454B is restricted by code and regulation to systems for which it was specifically designed.
The limited supply and more complex manufacturing process of R454B compared to its predecessor R410A contribute to its higher cost. Estimates suggest R454B could be over three times more expensive than R410A (Logan Services Inc.).
Comprehensive Environmental Impact Metrics
This means systems using R32 typically consume less energy over their lifetime, resulting in fewer indirect emissions. R454B, while also efficient, may require a larger charge size to achieve similar cooling performance, which can increase its overall environmental footprint.
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.
More About the Phase Out
Unfortunately, this refrigerant contains high levels of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) known to deplete the planet's protective Ozone layer. Many regulations (including the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment) have been passed to contain global warming.
The move comes months in advance of the 2025 regulatory shift that requires that newly manufactured equipment use lower-GWP refrigerants. R-454B, known commercially as Puron Advance, is Carrier's refrigerant of choice for all ducted and ductless residential and light commercial applications.
R-454B was developed at and is manufactured by Chemours. Carrier first announced introduction of R-454B in ducted residential and light commercial packaged refrigeration and air conditioning products in 2018, with R-454B-based products launches starting in 2023.
In response to these concerns, Carrier products in 2024 and beyond are using a more eco-friendly alternative to R-410A, known as Puron Advance or R-454B. This new non-ozone depleting refrigerant provides efficient cooling while minimizing environmental impact with a low global warming potential .
Puron Advance is Carrier's new refrigerant that will replace Puron in all residential ducted and ductless and light commercial products.
Current Pricing Landscape
The cost of 454b refrigerant has experienced a significant surge in recent times. As of December 2021, the cost of R454B refrigerant is approximately $8 per pound (Choosesanford.com).
ComStar's RS-53 (R470A) is the world's only drop-in retrofit replacement for existing R410a systems.
In the first half of 2024 we'll phase out our R-410A dedicated models and introduce -01 refrigerant versatile models, compatible with both R-410A and R-454B refrigerants.
The bill was then signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2022. As part of the bill, the sale of R-410a will be banned starting on January 1, 2030.
HFC-134a: a Potent Greenhouse Gas
Potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is 1,430 times that of CO2.
This refrigerant is considered a lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant. R-454B, formerly known as DL-5A, has been selected by several manufacturers, including Mitsubishi Electric, Carrier, Johnson Controls, Trane, and others.
Opteon™ XL41 (R-454B) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting (ODP), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) based replacement boasting the lowest global warming potential of all R-410A commercially available replacements.
Trane is phasing in the transition to R-454B in 2024, starting with the adoption of R-454B refrigerant in its residential products, beginning with the XR15 SEER2 heat pump.
These new options will also be more cost effective over the life of the unit, both because of the inherent efficiencies of R-454B and the rising cost of older refrigerants as they phase out and become more harder to source. Our new lineup of R-454B compliant equipment will be available in the second half of 2024.
It is important to note that as a mildly flammable refrigerant, R-454B cannot be retrofitted into existing R-410A or R-22 systems.
Cooling systems shifting from R-410a to newer refrigerants like R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant will be implemented in 2025. These new coolants are engineered to be friendlier to the environment and meet updated regulations about global warming.