Refrigerant phases compared

HFC vs HFO Refrigerant
Choose by Kigali phase-down + ESG roadmap

Under the Kigali Amendment 2016 (Thailand ratified 2019) + Thailand Phase-down Plan — GWP, A2L safety class, 2026 pricing + transition timeline R-22 → R-32 → R-1234yf

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In short — which family are you in?

Choose by GWP target + ESG/audit requirement + budget. Details below

Mainstream 2020-2030

HFC

GWP 675-4,470 (lower than legacy HCFC but still high)
Phase-down -10% by 2029 (Kigali) — still usable but prices will rise
Full stock + service in Thailand
R-32 = the mainstream replacement for R-410A (low-GWP HFC)

Best for

Domestic + light commercial air-con · chillers · new systems without strict ESG audit requirements

Future / ESG-mandated

HFO

GWP 1-7 (ultra-low) — Net Zero compatible
Required by EU/US automotive A/C and big-corp ESG audits
Premium 4-6x the HFC price
R-1234yf retrofit of R-134a (automotive)

Best for

New automotive · ESG-mandated facilities · EU/US export · Net Zero pledges · future-proofing

Servicing old systems only

Legacy (HCFC/CFC)

R-22 import ban from 2030 (Kigali phase-out)
Stock shrinking + price rising steadily
Servicing pre-2020 systems still within their service life
Not recommended for new installations

Best for

Servicing R-22 systems still in working order until end of life — then switch to R-32

Full spec comparison table

IPCC AR4 GWP · ASHRAE 34 safety class · Kigali Amendment 2016 · Thai Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535

Parameter	HFC	HFO	Legacy
Chemical family	Hydrofluorocarbon	Hydrofluoroolefin (double bond)	HCFC / CFC (legacy)
Example grades	R-32 · R-410A · R-134a · R-404A · R-407C	R-1234yf · R-1234ze · R-1233zd · R-1336mzz	R-22 · R-12 · R-11 (phased out)
GWP (IPCC AR4, 100-yr)	675 (R-32) — 4,470 (R-404A)	1 – 7 (ultra-low)	1,810 (R-22) — 10,900 (R-12)
ODP (ozone depletion)	0	0	>0 (R-22 = 0.055)
Safety class (ASHRAE 34)	A1 (R-410A) · A2L (R-32, R-454B)	A2L (R-1234yf) · A1 (R-1234ze E)	A1 (R-22)
Thailand status 2026	✓ Available — phase-down -10% by 2029	✓ Premium · limited suppliers	⚠️ R-22 import ban from 2030
Common application	Domestic + light commercial air-con, chillers	Automotive A/C, low-GWP-mandated EU/US, ESG audits	Service of pre-2020 systems only
OEM lubricant	POE (polyolester)	POE compatible	Mineral oil
Drop-in replacement?	Only within the same family at similar pressure	✓ R-1234yf retrofit of R-134a (with valve change)	✗ No direct retrofit
Saha stock	Full range — R-32, R-410A, R-134a, R-404A, R-407C	R-1234yf, R-454B, R-449A, R-513A available (order-based)	R-22 still sold until 2030
Thai market price (per kg, bulk)	Quote-only — moves with the global market	Quote-only — priced several times above HFC	Quote-only — rising as the phase-out progresses

Source: Kigali Amendment 2016 · IPCC AR4 · ASHRAE 34-2022 · ISO 817-2014 · TIS 2580-2562 · Thailand HFC Phase-down Plan

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FAQ

Common Questions

Q1.What's the difference between HFC and HFO?+

HFC = Hydrofluorocarbon (saturated structure, GWP 675-4,470). HFO = Hydrofluoroolefin (double bond → atmospheric degradation faster, GWP 1-7). Both have ODP=0 (no ozone damage); they differ in global warming impact. Kigali Amendment 2016 mandates HFC phase-down -85% by 2047 → HFO replaces.

Q2.How does Kigali Amendment affect Thailand?+

Thailand signed 2019 + ratified Kigali. Phase-down schedule: -10% by 2029, -30% by 2035, -50% by 2040, -85% by 2047 (baseline 2020-2022). R-22 (HCFC) import banned from 2030. High-GWP HFC (R-410A, R-404A) prices will rise 30-50% during 2025-2030. Recommend transitioning to R-32 (low-GWP HFC) or R-454B (HFO blend) for new installations.

Q3.Why is R-1234yf 4-6x more expensive than R-134a?+

R-1234yf = HFO replacement for R-134a in automotive AC. Produced via fluorinated olefin synthesis (Honeywell + Chemours patents) — high raw material cost. Demand grew rapidly (EU + US automotive 2018+ mandate). Limited Thai supply — order-based. Runs roughly 4-6× the per-kg price of R-134a (both move with the world market — quoted live per deal).

Q4.How does ESG audit affect refrigerant choice?+

Customers with CDP/SBTi/Net Zero pledges — refrigerant emission = Scope 1 GHG inventory. Using R-410A (GWP 2,088) emits 2,088× the CO2 equivalent per kg leaked. EU automotive exporters and food customers under Global GAP must demonstrate a phase-down roadmap. Recommend migration R-410A → R-454B (50% lower GWP, drop-in compatible).

Q5.Does Saha stock all HFO grades?+

Yes — R-1234yf (automotive AC), R-454B (R-410A replacement, A2L), R-449A/Opteon XP40 (R-404A replacement), R-513A (R-134a chiller replacement), R-1234ze (commercial chiller). Order-based 3-7 day lead time. MSDS + CoA + DOT/UN packaging + Thai Hazardous Substance Licence per Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535.