Everything you need to know about refrigerant gases: R600a, R134a, R410A, R32, etc.

Refrigerant gas is an essential component in the operation of refrigerators and freezers. It allows heat transfer, thus ensuring cooling. Over the years, different types of gas have been used, depending on their energy efficiency and environmental impact. Here's an overview of the main refrigerant gases used today.

Properties of flammable refrigerant R600a isobutane HC - Buy ...

1. R134a (Tetrafluoroethane)

R134a is a fluorinated gas (HFC) widely used in domestic refrigerators manufactured between 1990 and 2010. It is non-flammable and has good thermodynamic performance. However, it has a high global warming potential (GWP of 1430) .
👉 Read more about fluorinated gases - European Parliament

2. R600a (Isobutane)

R600a is a hydrocarbon (HC) gas considered an environmentally friendly alternative. It has a very low GWP (3) and good energy efficiency. It is slightly flammable, which requires certain precautions.
👉 Learn more about R600a - Daikin France

3. R290 (Propane)

R290 is used in commercial refrigeration and some freezers. It offers good thermal performance, low toxicity and a very low GWP (3) . Flammable, it requires suitable systems.
👉 Information on R290 - Green Cooling Initiative

4. R1234yf

R1234yf is a recent alternative to HFCs. It has a GWP of less than 1 and is used in some refrigerators and vehicles. However, it is more expensive.
👉 Discover R1234yf - Honeywell

5. R410A

R410A is a blend of HFCs (R32 and R125), widely used in air conditioners and some commercial refrigeration systems. It is non-flammable and very efficient, but has a high GWP (2088) . It is being gradually replaced in Europe.
👉 R410A profile - Cooling Post

6. R32

R32 is a newer gas, used in the latest generation of air conditioning units and as a replacement for R410A. It has a low GWP (675) , good performance and moderate flammability (class A2L).
👉 Why choose R32 - Daikin Europe

Which gas should you choose for your appliance?

The choice of gas depends on:

The date of manufacture
The type of use (domestic or professional)
Environmental regulations

Today, R600a , R290 and R32 are preferred for their low environmental impact.

Conclusion

Knowing the refrigerant gas in your appliance is crucial for maintenance or replacement. Increasing efforts are being made to reduce the climate impact of refrigerants.