It depends entirely on the application. In low temperature applications, R452A provides a wider operating map without additional system components – such as for vapor injection – and unables a simpler design.
R448 and R449A deliver good energy performance and have a lower GWP than R452A.
Each refrigerant complies with Articles 11 (self-contained units), 12 (condensing units), and 13 (centralized systems) usage and service ban of the EU F-gas regulations.
However, it’s important to remember that under Article 11, none of these refrigerants can be used in self-contained units after 2022.
Even more important than the bans, the F-Gas regulation requires our industry to reduce the GWP level of all refrigerants used in general by means of a quota system on high GWP refrigerants until 2030 . Several A2L refrigerants (e.g. R454A/C, R455A) offer very low GWP levels and are suitable for new low temperature refrigeration systems.
-> For more information about the impact on system performance and components, access the Retrofit Tool in Coolselector.