With an optimal balance between efficiency and environmental impact, R454B not only lowers energy consumption but also improves the overall efficiency of air conditioning systems. This can result in lower utility bills and a more cost-effective cooling solution for homeowners.
R454B offers improved energy efficiency compared to its predecessors. Systems designed for R454B can operate more efficiently, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower operational costs over time. This efficiency gain is crucial for both commercial and residential applications.
R-454B functions better with POE oils in compressors, which improves its heat transfer efficiency. It also has a lower discharge temperature, which reduces mechanical stress on compressors over time, leading to less wear and tear on equipment compared to R410A.
In summary, the safety classification of R-454B as an A2L refrigerant ensures that it aligns with rigorous safety standards. The combination of low burning velocity and stringent safety measures in design and implementation minimizes potential risks associated with its flammable nature.
R454B, also known as Puron Advanced, is a next-generation refrigerant designed to replace R410A. It maintains similar performance levels but has a much lower GWP, meaning it contributes less to global warming. This makes it a better choice for the environment while keeping your home comfortable.
The limited supply and more complex manufacturing process of R454B compared to its predecessor R410A contribute to its higher cost.
Exposure hazards: Flammable. In combustion emits toxic fumes. Forms explosive air-vapour mixture. Advice for fire-fighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
Gauge sets used with R-410A should be okay to use with R-454B, although technicians may need to update their digital manifolds to include the newer refrigerants. Standard hand tools like wrenches and tube cutters should be the same.
A: R-454B has properties very similar to R-410A, which is also a blend. Because of R-454B's low temperature glide, leaks can be topped off similar to what was done with R-410A (note that R-410A systems cannot be charged with R-454B; this is strictly prohibited by codes and safety standards).
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.
R-454B has a lower GWP than previous refrigerants, meaning it has a much lower climate impact. 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.
R454B offers improved efficiency over R410A, ultimately reducing energy consumption and utility costs. In many applications, R454B has demonstrated increased energy efficiency of up to 5% compared to R410A systems, driven primarily by its lower pressure level and enhanced thermodynamic properties.
Trane and the refrigerant transition
We're adopting the R-454B refrigerant for use in newly manufactured residential cooling products. R-454B has already demonstrated exceptional performance during Trane's field trials in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge.
R454B: slightly lower capacity than R410A but better efficiency; lower GWP. R32: better efficiency and around 10% more capacity than R410A, depending on the application and system design.
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.
R-410A PHASE-DOWN TIMELINE
We will reach a 70% decrease by 2029. In 2034, we will see 80% less R-410A being produced than it is today, and the phase-down will end in 2036 with another 5% reduction.
R454B is THE best-balanced choice to replace R410A for all your building projects where a scroll chiller, heat pump or rooftop unit is needed.
The new EPA refrigerant regulations for 2025 will phase out the use of high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-410A, replacing them with more eco-friendly alternatives, such as R-454B and R-32.
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.
R-454B/R-32 Implications: because R-454B and R-32 have a mildly flammable characteristic, a non-sparking vacuum pump is required.
Regulations and Safety Standards
Navigating the regulatory landscape is crucial when adopting new refrigerants. R-454B is classified as an A2L refrigerant, indicating low flammability.
Basically, federal standards will require a new type of refrigerant to be used in brand-new home HVAC systems. Right now, cooling systems are required to use HFC and HCFC refrigerants, like R410a. The new guidelines will require A2L refrigerant to be used instead for all systems manufactured after a certain time.
Because of its reduced global warming potential (GWP), R-454B is intended to be an alternative to refrigerant R-410A in new equipment. R-454B has a GWP of 466, which is 78 percent lower than R-410A's GWP of 2088. R-454B is non-toxic and mildly flammable, with an ASHRAE safety classification of A2L.
Some systems may require an oil change. The same oil that is used for R410A can be used for R454B.
Nothing in it allows for the use of A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerants to be used in residential cooling systems. Mildly flammable refrigerants can't be used in existing R-410a and R-22 systems.