Refrigerants compared
R-32 vs R-410A vs R-22
Which one fits your job?
The three most-used refrigerants in Thailand — full specs + phase-out timeline + retrofit options + real 2026 pricing
In short — which to choose?
Depends on the application + age of the equipment — pick by the rows below
Default choice 2024+
R-32
- GWP 675 — lowest among common HFCs (R-410A is 3× higher)
- 5-8% lower energy consumption vs R-410A (electricity saver)
- New residential + light commercial units have all moved to R-32
- A2L — mildly flammable — technicians need ASHRAE 34 / EN 378 certification
Best for
New residential / SME AC 2024+, heat pump systems, low-GWP regulation in every country
Phase-down on schedule
R-410A
- Legacy HFC — nearly every commercial system from 2010-2024 uses it
- A1 non-flammable — any technician can handle it
- Kigali Amendment: 80% consumption cut by 2036
- Replacement (low-GWP): Opteon XL55 / Solstice N41 (R-454B)
Best for
VRF, chillers, large commercial AC not yet retrofitted
Phase-out — discontinued
R-22
- ODP 0.055 — depletes the ozone layer (Montreal Protocol)
- No new imports into Thailand from 2030 — recycled stock only after that
- Price keeps rising — supply is tight
- Drop-in: R-407C, Opteon XL41 (R-454A) for retrofit
Best for
Repairs of old units not yet retrofitted only — never for new systems
12-point comparison table
| Item | R-32 | R-410A | R-22 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | HFC (A2L mildly flammable) | HFC blend (A1 non-flammable) | HCFC (A1 non-flammable) |
| GWP (100-year) | 675 | 2,088 | 1,810 |
| ODP (ozone depletion) | 0 | 0 | 0.055 (non-zero!) |
| Operating pressure | ~10% higher than R-410A | High | Low-medium |
| Cooling capacity (single AC) | +10% vs R-410A | baseline | −5% vs R-410A |
| Energy efficiency (COP) | +5-8% vs R-410A | baseline | −10% vs R-410A |
| Thailand phase-out timeline | Allowed — the new standard | Phase-down — Kigali 2024-2036 | No new imports from 2030 (Montreal) |
| Price (13.6 kg cylinder) | quote-only — ask for a live price | quote-only — higher than R-32 | quote-only — tightening with the phase-out |
| Charge per system | ~30% less (single component) | baseline (zeotropic blend) | Close to R-410A |
| Retrofit from R-22? | ✗ Needs a new compressor + oil | ✗ Needs a new expansion valve + oil | drop-in: R-407C / Opteon XL41 |
| Compressor oil | POE | POE | Mineral / Alkylbenzene |
| Best use | New residential + light commercial AC, 2024+ | Existing commercial systems + VRF / chillers | Retrofit of very old units only |
Caution
A2L (R-32) requires a certified technician — with leak detection + ventilation. Use in malls/hospitals must comply with ASHRAE 15 + EN 378
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Related comparisons
Decide with confidence — compare from several angles
Read the related comparison tables — full specs, real prices, and a recommendation for each use.
FAQ
Common Questions
Q1.When will R-22 phase out in Thailand?+
Per Montreal Protocol + Kigali Amendment 2016 (Thailand signed 2019) — R-22 import banned from 2030, existing stock sellable through 2040. Existing systems can still be recharged but at rising cost. Recommended: retrofit to R-32 within 3-5 years.
Q2.Can I retrofit R-22 to R-32?+
Direct drop-in not recommended. R-32 uses POE oil (R-22 uses mineral oil) and runs ~60% higher pressure. Requires compressor + expansion valve + copper line resize. Only cost-effective for new systems — for aging R-22 units, replace at end-of-life rather than retrofit.
Q3.If I don't want to change the compressor, is there a drop-in R-22 replacement?+
Yes — R417a is an A1 (non-flammable) drop-in for R-22 that works on the existing system without swapping the compressor or valves, a good bridge when you're not ready to invest in a new R-32 unit (trade-off: slightly lower COP than original R-22). It's a made-to-order, quote-only item. For legacy low-pressure centrifugal chillers on R-11/R-123, we can also supply R123.
Q4.Is R-32 (A2L) flammable — is it dangerous?+
R-32 is classified A2L (mildly flammable) per ASHRAE 34 + ISO 817. Hard to ignite — LFL 14% in air, ignition energy 30× higher than propane. IEC 60335-2-40 caps max charge per room. Safe with adequate ventilation and no ignition sources >750°C nearby.
Q5.What are the GWP values?+
Global Warming Potential (100-year, IPCC AR4):
• R-22 = 1,810 (HCFC, phasing out)
• R-410A = 2,088 (high-GWP HFC blend)
• R-32 = 675 (low-GWP HFC)
Kigali Amendment requires Thailand HFC consumption -10% by 2029, -50% by 2045.
Q6.Is R-410A getting hard to find — has price risen?+
Still available — Daikin/Carrier/Mitsubishi continue to sell in Thailand. But price rose 30-50% during 2024-2025 due to HFC phase-down. Most new AC units since 2023 use R-32 instead. Existing R-410A systems can still be serviced normally.
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