Hey there, welcome to The Cold Standard with IWAE! Let’s break down the difference between R32 and R454B. First off: both R32 and R454B have a lower Global Warming Potential than previous refrigerants, so now that regulations on high GWP substances are changing, these two refrigerants are becoming widely adopted. So what’s the difference? R32 is a single component refrigerant, which comes with many benefits. 

As a single component refrigerant, it can be reclaimed, recycled, and reused with more ease. Sometimes, the differing composition changes in blends can cause a negative impact on performance, but you don’t have to worry about that with R32.

Is R-454B more efficient?

R454B is made up of two components, which is done to gain benefits from one component to compensate for elements that the other component may be lacking. 

Which is more flammable, R32 or R-454B?

It’s important to know that both R454B and R32 are mildly flammable. When I say mildly, I mean truly, MILDLY. There are actually videos of people trying to ignite a flame with R32, and it won’t ignite, but government agencies are always going to air on the side of caution, and honestly, that’s probably good but! when you hear someone call R32 ‘flammable’, don’t flip out, just make sure you’re leaving all repair work to a professional HVAC tech. So what does all of this have to do with you? Well, throughout the next year, the HVAC industry will begin phasing out R410A in favor of these two refrigerants, and at Ingram’s, we’ll be carrying products with both. So if you have a preference, we’ll have a solution for you!