With refrigerant used in products like air conditioners, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and heat pumps, it’s normal to want to stay up to date on any major changes that might affect your renovation or construction plans. The R-454B refrigerant update is definitely a change to keep an eye on if your home or light commercial space is due for an upgrade.
This article will outline the benefits, uses, and safety of R-454B, a promising new refrigerant formula designed to reduce environmental impact. By comparing R-454B to its predecessors, you should have a clearer understanding of what it is, what’s different about it from other versions, and whether it matters if it’s used in products for your home.
- What Is R-454B Refrigerant?
- R-454B vs R-410A vs R-32: What's the Difference?
- Safety Concerns: Is R-454B Safe to Use?
- Addressing Supply and Shortage Concerns
- Frequently Asked Questions About R-454B Refrigerant
- R-454B: Is it Important for My Home?
What Is R-454B Refrigerant?
R-454B is a next-generation blend of R-32 refrigerant and R-1234yF refrigerant that many air conditioning and dehumidifier manufacturers are switching to in their newest line of products. Designed with improved efficiency and lower environmental impact, this switch from R-410A and R-32 ensures contractors and builders comply with updated industry standards. For property owners, this switch is an improvement in efficiency, saving more on day-to-day electricity costs.
Applications: What Products Use R-454B?
The updated R-454B refrigerant has made its appearance in multiple appliance categories over the last year as older refrigerants have been phased out of use. Now you can find R-454B refrigerant in residential and light commercial air conditioning systems, like ductless mini-splits, portable ACs, and ducted split systems, or other appliances like dehumidifiers, refrigeration equipment, and heat pumps.
R-454B vs R-410A vs R-32: What's the Difference?
Chemical Composition
The differences between R-454B, R-410A, and R-32 begin with their chemical composition:
- R-454B is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blend, designed to minimize environmental impact with a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP).
- R-410A refrigerant is a mixture of two hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that offers efficient cooling but with a higher GWP.
- R-32 is another HFC favored for its superior energy efficiency, but it has a higher GWP than R-454B.
Lower Global Warming Potential
When comparing these refrigerants, R-454B stands out due to its low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 698, nearly 78 percent less than its predecessor R-410A, which has a GWP of 2,088.
This significantly reduced GWP cements R-454B’s status as a sustainable refrigerant option, aligning with global initiatives to lower negative climate impacts. For applications where sustainability is a priority, using R-454B is a proactive step towards combating climate change.
Eco-Friendly Impact
Beyond its low global warming impacts, R-454B was designed to have minimal adverse effects on the ozone layer, aligning with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Significant New Alternative Policy for ozone protection. This policy identifies ozone-depleting substances and puts new refrigerant standards into place by promoting safe alternatives, like R-454B, while phasing out older formulas like R-410A.
Enhanced Performance and Energy Efficiency
R-454B refrigerant is celebrated for its superior energy efficiency compared to its predecessor, R-410A. This efficiency not only supports lower operating costs but also optimizes the performance of air conditioning and other devices. Users can expect a noticeable reduction in energy consumption, translating to significant savings on utility bills over time. By improving equipment longevity and reducing maintenance needs, R-454B also contributes to cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
R-32 refrigerant doesn’t match the environmental friendliness of R-454B, but has similar efficiency. Because of this and the fact that there is no R-32 shortage, some manufacturers will continue to produce products with this refrigerant blend until it is completely phased out in the future.
Safety Concerns: Is R-454B Safe to Use?
Yes, R-454B refrigerant is safe as long as it is handled by a qualified professional to ensure proper procedures are followed. R-454B is designated an A2L mildly flammable refrigerant, which is why it’s important for an HVAC professional to handle installation and maintenance to avoid risks associated with misuse.
R-454B refrigerant also has a non-toxic classification, adding an extra layer of safety when used in residential and commercial applications.
Addressing Supply and Shortage Concerns
With the transition from R-410A refrigerant to R-454B refrigerant, industry professionals and consumers alike face pressing concerns about supply and scarcity. Many U.S. manufacturers have switched to R-454B refrigerant this past year, increasing the global demand and outpacing initial production capabilities of refrigerant cylinders, resulting in a notable shortage.
As explained by the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, Worthington Enterprises, the leading manufacturer of refrigerant cylinders, has addressed the shortage problem and has taken action by increasing production and the cylinder line fill capacity to stabilize the supply levels by the end of September 2025.
How Does it Affect You?
This shortage will mainly affect product manufacturers shipping large quantities of R-454B for production. Due to this, there may be some delay in new air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and heat pumps affected by the R-454B refrigerant change. Property owners should consult with retailers or service providers about the availability and timelines for R-454B-based products when planning their installation.
Frequently Asked Questions About R-454B Refrigerant
Can you mix R-454B with R-410A?
No, mixing different refrigerants can be dangerous and lead to serious injuries due to unexpected chemical reactions. R-454B refrigerant should always be handled by a qualified professional and adhered to specific safety standards.
Can you replace R-410A with R-454B?
No, R-454B is not a direct replacement for R-410A refrigerant, meaning you can not remove the R-410A from a system and replace it with R-454B. Appliance manufacturers update their product systems to work with specific refrigerant blends. This is why you may find older, refurbished models that still use R-410A refrigerant while their newer line uses R-454B refrigerant.
What products use R-454B?
R-454B refrigerant can be found in air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, and refrigeration systems. As a replacement for R-410A, most systems will update to replace their R-410A refrigerant models with R-454B refrigerant models.
R-454B: Is it Important for My Home?
For homeowners and businesses planning future HVAC installations or upgrades, staying informed about R-454B developments is crucial. While the transition may seem complex, the long-term benefits of reduced environmental impact and improved efficiency make this change worthwhile.
To help you make the most informed decision about R-454B refrigerant and compatible systems, we recommend:
- Consulting with certified HVAC professionals
- Reviewing manufacturer specifications
- Checking local regulations and requirements
- Considering total lifecycle costs
Our team at Sylvane remains committed to helping you navigate these changes. Whether you're exploring options for a new installation or planning future upgrades, we're here at (800) 934-9194 or experts@sylvane.com to provide expert guidance and support throughout your decision-making process.
