Forane® 32 vs. Forane® 454B: Which Should You Choose to Replace R-410A?
If you’ve been in the HVACR industry for a while, you’ve seen refrigerants come and go. From HCFC-22 to R-410A, the landscape has shifted—mostly due to environmental regulations. Now, with R-410A being phased down because of its high global warming potential (GWP), the spotlight is on two main contenders: Forane® 32 (R-32) and Forane® 454B (R-454B).
So, which one makes more sense for your next system? Let’s break it down.
A Quick Look Back
R-22 was once the go-to refrigerant for residential and light commercial AC systems. But its ozone-depleting potential (ODP) led to its phase-out. That brought us to HFCs like R-407C and R-410A. R-410A became the dominant choice, but it too is now being phased down due to its high GWP.
Enter Forane® 32 and Forane® 454B—two lower-GWP alternatives that are gaining traction.
Forane® 32 and Forane® 454B: What you need to know
Basic Properties
- R-32 is a single-component refrigerant.
- R-454B is a blend (68.9% R-32 and 31.1% R-1234yf), and it's near-azeotropic, meaning it behaves almost like a single substance.
- Both are A2L-rated by ASHRAE, meaning they’re mildly flammable.
- Both have zero ODP.
- GWP: R-32 is 675, while R-454B is 465.
- Oil compatibility: Both work with POE oil.
- Glide: R-32 has no glide; R-454B has a small glide of about 1.2 K.
- Charging: R-32 can be charged as vapor or liquid; R-454B should be charged as liquid due to its blend nature.
System Compatibility: What’s Easier to Work With?
Here’s where things get interesting:
- R-454B was designed to closely match the pressure-temperature profile of R-410A. That means most components used in R-410A systems can be adapted for R-454B with minimal changes.
- R-32, on the other hand, runs at higher pressures than R-410A. That means OEMs need to redesign components to handle the increased pressure.
- So, if you’re an OEM looking for a smoother transition, R-454B is the easier path. But—and this is important—you cannot drop R-454B into an existing R-410A system. It’s flammable, and R-410A systems don’t have the safety features required for A2L refrigerants. Doing so isn’t just unsafe—it’s illegal and against code.
- Neither R-32 nor R-454B are meant for retrofitting R-410A systems. These are new system refrigerants only.
Performance: What’s the Payoff?
If you’re chasing performance, R-32 has the edge:
- Higher efficiency
- Better cooling capacity
- Smaller refrigerant charge
- These benefits can lead to more compact units and lower operating costs over time.
- So, Which One Should You Choose?
- It depends on your priorities:
- Choose R-454B if you want an easier transition from R-410A with minimal redesign.
- Choose R-32 if you’re aiming for higher efficiency, better performance, and are ready to handle the higher pressure requirements.
Both are solid choices. It’s all about what fits your application, your design goals, and your comfort level with system changes.
Contact our Sales team to find out what works best for your business!