Toxic substances like hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide are created when R32, like all fluorinated refrigerants, is burnt. Asphyxiation and freeze burns are also a risk.
Potential Drawbacks of R32
Despite the growing popularity of R32 refrigerants, there are some potential drawbacks associated with its use. These include flammability and safety concerns and retrofitting and compatibility issues.
After being banned for further use back in 2004, it is now illegal to use virgin, recycled and reclaimed HCFCs during servicing, maintenance and repair. The main reason that the R22 refrigerant was banned is due to its effect on the ozone layer.
For R32 model, use pipes, flare nut and tools which is specified for R32 refrigerant. Using of existing (R22) piping, flare nut and tools may cause abnormally high pressure in the refrigerant cycle (piping), and possibly result in explosion and injury.
Here are some key reasons for a burst in air-conditioning systems using R32: Inadequate design and location of indoor & outdoor units. For High Ambient cities / countries – in case of placement of outdoor units at direct Solar's exposure. Low thickness / gauges piping or inappropriate fittings.
Worn suspension, leaks, bad bushings, and broken plastic are just some of the issues the R32 has.
The primary negative characteristic of R32 is that it is classified as “mildly flammable” or “lower flammability” according to the International Standard for Refrigerant Designation and Safety Classification, ISO 817:2014.
A primary alternative to R32 is R290, commonly known as propane, an A3 highly flammable refrigerant with an ultra-low GWP of 0.02.
You will, of course, need to ensure that any equipment you use includes an R32 compliant recovery unit, an R32 specific vacuum pump, a torque wrench set to the manufacturer's recommendations on your flare joints and for pipework, stick to material that is R410A rated, as this also suitable for R32.
In the figure, the notation such as R32 + R134a (90/10) indicates that R32 is a mixed refrigerant of 90 wt% and R134a is 10 wt%. As shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that mixing R134a (or R1234yf) with R32 suppresses the discharge temperature.
Flammability: R32 has a lower flammability compared to R22 and R410A, making it a safer option for air conditioning systems. Toxicity: R32 is considered to be less toxic compared to R22 and R410A, but it should still be handled with caution to avoid potential harm to humans and the environment.
LG leads the way with R32 refrigerant
Now builders can take advantage of the many benefits of R32 refrigerant for their homeowners with LG solutions and technologies as a refrigerant that reliably keeps homes warm and cool.
Regulatory - There are no published regulations or granted EPA petitions that state R-32 will be prohibited in the U.S. after 2029. In fact, R-32 is a single component refrigerant, while R-454B is a blend that consists of nearly 70% R-32.
GHS02 GHS04 Signal word (CLP) : Danger Hazard statements (CLP) : H221 - Flammable gas. H280 - Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated. Precautionary statements (CLP) - Prevention : P210 - Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
Over 15 years later, this audience has become even more niche, and the R32 now has a cult-like following. If you are willing to join this cult and have the financial means to maintain the car, then absolutely, you should buy one. A well-maintained R32 is surely a future classic.
Is it possible to upgrade the refrigerant in an existing unit? Please note that it is not possible to transition an R410A refrigerant unit to an R32 unit. Refrigerants should only be handled by trained, qualified technicians. These experts can assist you in finding an R32-capable system.
R32 has similar working pressure to R410A around 12-26 Bar (174-377 Psi), however R32 has better capability to exchange heat-load than R410A and delivers higher capacity than R410A making the systems more efficient.
A refrigerant handling licence is required when using R32 refrigerant, and a refrigerant trading authorisation is required to acquire, possess and dispose/sell it.
Disadvantages:Different from R22 and R410A, the R32 is slightly flammable. But combustion will not occur unless three critical conditions are met, refrigerant concentration, constant oxygen, and an ignition source. In real practice, it's hard to meet all the combustion conditions.
While R32 and R410A are similar in many ways, they're incompatible with systems that aren't designed for them.
The Refrigerant Transition
After countless hours of research, Trane is transitioning to using R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant in our residential cooling systems, using a phased-in approach. These refrigerants are more sustainable with a low global warming potential (GWP) and 0 ozone depletion potential (ODP).
What refrigerant will replace R-410A in 2025? For whole-home systems, Lennox has chosen 2025 Compliant Refrigerant R-454B due to its excellent performance for ducted systems and zero ozone depletion potential. For mini-splits, we selected R-32, designed to optimize efficiency and reliability in ductless systems.
Research conducted to prepare the document confirms that R32 is NOT an extremely flammable, highly toxic gas that causes cancer (as some industry representatives have suggested).
In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production of any new systems that used R-22 refrigerant due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer.