Technology
R32 or R410A: what the refrigerant means for you
Every unit says R32 or R410A on its label. In practice the refrigerant determines efficiency, future service cost and whether the unit can be sold in the EU at all.
3 min readUpdated
R410A: the standard until 2020
A two-gas blend used in almost every unit from 2005 to 2020. Efficient and non-flammable, but with a GWP of 2088, so the EU is phasing it out of domestic units.
R32: the present
A single gas with GWP 675, three times lower. It carries more heat per kilogram, so systems hold 20–30% less and run 5–10% more efficiently. Classed as mildly flammable (A2L), which only matters for the installer. Practically every new unit we sell uses R32.
The EU F-gas regulation
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 cuts F-gas quotas and bans new small-charge split systems with GWP above 750 (from 2025), which took R410A out of new domestic units. Further steps in 2027 and 2035 will push lower still; R290 (propane) models are appearing for some product groups. R32 is the safe choice for the next 10–15 years.
An old R410A unit
Nothing urgent: it can be used and serviced for years, although the gas gets dearer. Never "convert" to R32; the gases are not interchangeable. For a major repair on a unit over 10 years old, replacement is often cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, R32 or R410A?
R32: more efficient, three times lower climate impact, cheaper to recharge and the only one permitted in new domestic split units in the EU.
Is R32 dangerous?
Not in normal use. The charge in a domestic unit is small and installation to the standards removes the risk; millions of units have run on it in Europe since 2014.
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