For an existing air conditioner, use the refrigerant specified or approved by the equipment manufacturer, provided its use is permitted for the intended work. Price, cylinder colour, cooling capacity or installation year do not establish compatibility.
There are two different decisions: identifying the refrigerant for an existing air conditioner, and selecting a complete new system designed for a particular refrigerant. Comparing R134a, R410A, R407C and R32 helps explain their differences; it does not authorise substituting one for another.
R134a, R410A, R407C and R32: a technical comparison
| Refrigerant | Type and composition by mass | GWP, 100 years | Safety class | What determines compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R134a | Single-component HFC | 1430 | A1 | Use only in equipment specified for R134a. It is not a universal refrigerant for room air conditioners or domestic refrigerators. |
| R410A | HFC blend: R32/R125, 50/50% | 2088 | A1 | The model must specify R410A. A newer or more powerful air conditioner does not necessarily use this refrigerant. |
| R407C | HFC blend: R32/R125/R134a, 23/25/52% | 1774 | A1 | For equipment approved for R407C. Its temperature glide must be considered in the manufacturer's servicing procedure. |
| R32 | Single-component HFC | 675 | A2L | For equipment designed and approved for R32, with the relevant flammability precautions. It is not a drop-in replacement for R410A. |
GWP means global warming potential. The values above use the 100-year basis applied to these HFCs in Regulation (EU) 2024/573; R410A is rounded. All four have an ozone depletion potential of zero, but ODP = 0 does not mean zero climate impact. R134a's GWP of 1430 should not be described as low simply because it is below R410A's value.
A1 indicates lower toxicity and no flame propagation under the classification test conditions. A2L indicates lower toxicity and lower flammability with a low burning velocity. Neither classification makes a pressurised refrigerant harmless or removes the need for suitable equipment and competent handling.
Can you replace one refrigerant with another?
Do not mix refrigerants or treat similar properties as permission to substitute them. R410A contains R32, but that does not make pure R32 compatible with an R410A system. Similar pressures, the same safety class or a shared oil family are also insufficient.
A conversion, where available, requires a manufacturer-approved solution for the specific equipment and compliance with applicable rules. Changing the gas or oil alone is not a universal conversion method. The system must be suitable for the replacement refrigerant, including its pressure and flammability characteristics.
What matters when choosing a new air-conditioning system?
Compare complete models under comparable operating conditions. Assess the required cooling and heating capacity, seasonal efficiency such as SEER and SCOP where applicable, climate suitability, noise, installation constraints and long-term servicing options. The refrigerant name alone does not determine efficiency or performance in hot weather.
A lower-GWP design can reduce the climate impact of refrigerant leakage, but does not by itself guarantee lower electricity bills. Our guide to R32 and air-conditioning energy efficiency explains the distinction between refrigerant properties and whole-system performance.
Check EU restrictions separately from technical compatibility
Reviewed: 6 October 2026. Regulation (EU) 2024/573 separates servicing restrictions in Article 13 from equipment placed on the market under Article 11 and Annex IV. The relevant conditions depend on the equipment category, GWP, date and exemptions. A ban affecting new equipment is not automatically a ban on operating every existing system. See our EU F-gas restrictions and servicing guide for the detailed tables.
R22 is governed by separate rules for ozone-depleting substances. Ordinary servicing with R22 is prohibited in the EU, including reclaimed or recycled R22. An old system therefore needs an appropriate approved solution, not an arbitrary switch to R32. Read our guide to R22 restrictions and options for older equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Is R134a suitable for most modern domestic refrigerators?
No. Many domestic refrigerator designs use R600a, while other models may specify a different refrigerant. Check the actual appliance. R600a and R290 are flammable hydrocarbons and must not be treated as direct substitutes in equipment designed for an HFC.
Does poor cooling mean the air conditioner needs a different gas?
No. Restricted airflow, dirty heat exchangers, control faults or a leak can all affect cooling. Refrigerant is not normally consumed as fuel. The cause of the fault should be established instead of selecting a different refrigerant or repeatedly topping up the system.
For a supply enquiry, visit our refrigerant wholesale page and specify the required refrigerant, quantity and cylinder format.
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