Understanding R-454B Refrigerant

You may not think about it often, but refrigerant plays a role in your daily life more than you realize. Have you ever enjoyed an ice cold slice of watermelon in the summer? Blasted the cool breeze in your car after a long day out? Or even spiked up the heat pump in your home on a cold winter’s night? You can say thanks to the refrigerant that makes it all possible.

Since Willis Carrier introduced modern air conditioning in 1902, refrigerants have been essential to heating and cooling systems. Now, with growing environmental concerns and regulatory changes, R-454B is emerging as a new standard in repairing or installing air conditioning.

What Is Refrigerant?

Refrigerant is the fluid that makes your HVAC system work. It is a chemical compound that flows through the refrigerant lines, shifting between liquid and gas as it moves through the system. This phase change is what allows it to absorb heat from inside your home and release it outside.

Here’s how it works: your air conditioner doesn’t actually create cold air—it removes heat from the air inside your home. The refrigerant picks up that heat at the evaporator coil (inside), then carries it to the condenser coil (outside), where the heat is released. The refrigerant then condenses back into a liquid and starts the cycle all over again.

This constant loop of absorbing and releasing heat is what keeps your home cool and comfortable. When your HVAC system fails, your refrigerant could be the problem.

Over the years, the type of refrigerant we use has changed. You might recognize a few names, like:

Freon®
R-12
R-22
R-134a
R-410A
R-454B

Each new generation of refrigerant is designed to be more efficient and better for the environment. R-454B is the latest in line—offering strong performance with a much lower environmental footprint.

What is R-454B?

R-454B is the next-generation refrigerant designed to replace R-410A in new HVAC systems.

Refrigerants have traditionally contained hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent and dangerous greenhouse gases now known to deplete our ozone layer and have a high global warming potential (GWP). Stricter environmental regulations mean older refrigerants such as R-22 (also known as Freon) and R-410A, with its high GWP, were phased out in favor of R-454B.

R-454B is a blend of R-32 (an HFC) and R-1234yf (an HFO). This combination gives it a significantly lower GWP compared to R-410A, making it a better choice for the environment while still delivering reliable performance in HVAC systems.

Simply put: R-454B is the future of residential and light commercial HVAC refrigerants, offering a strong balance of efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Environmental Impact of R-454B

As efforts to reduce ozone depletion and lower GWP continue, the HVAC industry is shifting toward refrigerants with lower environmental impact. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the AIM Act, has finalized rules limiting the use of high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A.

R-454B is quickly becoming the go-to replacement in new air conditioners and heat pumps due to its several environmental benefits such as:

Lower GWP: R-454B has a global warming potential that’s more than 75% lower than R-410A. With a GWP below 700, it exceeds current EPA standards for low-impact refrigerants.
Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP): Unlike older refrigerants, R-454B doesn’t contribute to ozone layer damage.
Lower toxicity and improved energy efficiency: R-454B is classified as low toxicity and supports more energy-efficient HVAC system performance, which helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity use.

What Kind of Refrigerant Is in My HVAC System?

The type of refrigerant in your HVAC system largely depends on when it was installed. Here’s a general guideline:

Installed in 2010 or earlier?
Your system most likely uses R-22 (also known as HCFC-22 or Freon). This refrigerant has been phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties. Since 2020, only reclaimed or recycled R-22 is available for repairs, which can make service more expensive over time.
Installed between 2010 and 2023?
You probably have a system that uses R-410A. This refrigerant doesn’t harm the ozone layer, but it’s being phased down because of its high global warming potential (GWP). For now, supply is still good and repair costs remain fairly stable, but that may change in the coming years.
Installing a new system now or in the near future?
If you’re planning to install a new HVAC system now or in the near future, chances are it will use R-454B—the new industry standard refrigerant. Starting January 1, 2025, all newly manufactured or imported HVAC systems must be designed to use a low-GWP refrigerant. With a GWP of just 466, R-454NB not only meets the EPA’s requirements but exceeds them, offering a 75% reduction in GWP compared to R-410A.

Mother Earth Thanks You For Your Help

Thanks to its low global warming potential and improved energy efficiency, R-454B is quickly becoming the new standard in HVAC systems. It’s a smarter, more sustainable solution that supports both home comfort and environmental responsibility.

At A-Abel, we’re proud to install the most advanced, eco-friendly systems available. No matter what kind of system you have, our experienced air conditioning technicians are trained to work on all makes and models. That means we can handle AC repair in Dayton, Ohio, no matter your current setup.

Ready to upgrade or schedule a repair? Contact A-Abel today and experience the difference of working with a team that cares about your comfort—and the planet.