Understanding R-454B Refrigerant

What Is Refrigerant?

In a nutshell, refrigerant is a fluid that runs through the refrigerant lines of your HVAC system to cool warm air. The refrigerant changes from liquid to gas during this process. The refrigerant gas is then condensed to a liquid to start the cycle again.

Refrigerants have traditionally contained hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases. As scientific research has shed light on the damage HCFCs can do to our ozone layer, stricter environmental regulations mean older refrigerants such as R-22 (also known as Freon or HCFC-22) were phased out and replaced by HFC R-410A.  HFCs are now being phased down under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 because they have high GWPs.

What is R-454B?

R-454B is the newest refrigerant, which will gradually replace R-410A, the refrigerant used in current HVAC manufacturing. 

R-454B is a blend of R-32, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), and R-1234yf a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO). R-454B has a lower GWP than previous refrigerants, meaning it has a much lower climate impact. 

Environmental Impact of R-454B

New systems using R-454B refrigerant are more energy efficient, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the use of electricity, and the refrigerant itself has lower GWP. 

• R-454B has no ozone depletion potential (ODP) and has low toxicity.

• R-454B  GWP is more than 75% lower than its most recent predecessor, R-410A, and surpasses the EPA requirements for low-GWP refrigerant (<700 GWP). 

• It’s more energy efficient.

Although you may have never heard of it until today, the R-454B refrigerant has already demonstrated exceptional performance in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge. 

R-454B refrigerant is quickly becoming the HVAC industry standard for use in air conditioners and heat pumps and you can expect to see it increasingly used in newly manufactured units.

R-454B, with its lower global warming potential (GWP) and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), is quickly becoming the industry standard. To ensure optimal performance in systems using R-454B, we at Scottfrio offer a variety of specialized components, including:

• Insulated Copper Pipes: Designed to efficiently handle the pressure and temperature requirements of R-454B, ensuring maximum system performance and energy efficiency.

• Copper Fittings and Joints: Manufactured to withstand the specific chemical properties of R-454B, ensuring long-term durability and leak-free operation in refrigeration and HVAC systems.

• Custom Solutions: Understanding the evolving nature of refrigerant technology, Scottfrio provides custom solutions and consultations to ensure that our clients' systems are optimized for new refrigerants like R-454B.

With a focus on sustainability and performance, Scottfrio continues to innovate and adapt our product line to support the industry's shift towards greener refrigerants, ensuring that our partners can confidently embrace the future of HVAC technology.