Common Types of Chiller Refrigerant — Complete Guide for Industrial Chillers
Choosing the right refrigerant for your industrial chiller affects energy efficiency, operating cost, environmental compliance, and long-term availability. This guide covers every refrigerant currently used in industrial and commercial chillers — including which ones are being phased out and what to specify for new equipment.
Need help selecting the right refrigerant for your chiller? Contact Geson engineering →
Quick Reference — Chiller Refrigerant Comparison Table
| Refrigerant | Type | GWP | ODP | Status | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R410A | HFC blend | 2,088 | 0 | Being phased down | Air cooled scroll chillers, small to mid-size |
| R407C | HFC blend | 1,774 | 0 | Being phased down | Screw chillers, retrofit for R22 systems |
| R134A | HFC | 1,430 | 0 | Being phased down | Centrifugal chillers, large water cooled |
| R454B | HFO blend | 466 | 0 | Recommended — new equipment | Replacement for R410A, scroll & screw chillers |
| R513A | HFO blend | 573 | 0 | Recommended — new equipment | Replacement for R134A, centrifugal chillers |
| R32 | HFC | 675 | 0 | Available — lower GWP option | Small scroll chillers, heat pumps |
| R717 (Ammonia) | Natural | 0 | 0 | Available — industrial use | Large industrial refrigeration, food processing |
| R744 (CO2) | Natural | 1 | 0 | Available — niche applications | Transcritical systems, cold chain |
| R22 | HCFC | 1,810 | 0.055 | Phased out — legacy systems only | Older chillers — no longer specified for new equipment |
GWP = Global Warming Potential (100-year, CO2 = 1). ODP = Ozone Depletion Potential (R11 = 1).
R410A — The Most Common Chiller Refrigerant (Being Phased Down)
R410A has been the dominant refrigerant in air cooled scroll and screw chillers for the past 20 years. It delivers excellent cooling capacity, operates at higher pressures than R22, and has zero ozone depletion potential. However, its GWP of 2,088 means it is subject to phase-down regulations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and the US EPA AIM Act.
Where it is used: Air cooled scroll chillers (2RT–100RT), air cooled screw chillers, small to mid-size process chillers.
Current status: Still widely available. New equipment using R410A can be purchased, but manufacturers are transitioning to lower-GWP alternatives. For new equipment purchased in 2025 and beyond, consider R454B as the replacement.
Key properties:
- GWP: 2,088
- ODP: 0
- Boiling point: -51.6°C
- Safety classification: A1 (non-flammable, low toxicity)
- Operating pressure: Higher than R22 — requires compatible components
R407C — Common in Screw Chillers and R22 Retrofits
R407C is a ternary HFC blend (R32/R125/R134A) widely used in water cooled screw chillers and as a drop-in replacement for R22 in retrofit applications. It has similar operating pressures to R22, making it suitable for older systems originally designed for R22 with minimal component changes.
Where it is used: Water cooled screw chillers (50RT–500RT), air cooled screw chillers, R22 retrofit applications.
Key properties:
- GWP: 1,774
- ODP: 0
- Boiling point: -43.6°C
- Safety classification: A1
- Temperature glide: ~7°C — requires careful system design
R134A — Standard for Centrifugal Chillers
R134A is the standard refrigerant for centrifugal chillers and large water cooled systems above 300RT. It operates at lower pressures than R410A, which suits the large-diameter impellers used in centrifugal compressors. Major manufacturers including Carrier, Trane, and York have used R134A in centrifugal chillers for decades.
Where it is used: Centrifugal chillers (300RT–5,000RT), large water cooled screw chillers, variable frequency drive chillers.
Key properties:
- GWP: 1,430
- ODP: 0
- Boiling point: -26.1°C
- Safety classification: A1
- Being replaced by R513A in new centrifugal chiller designs
R454B — The Recommended Replacement for R410A
R454B (marketed as Opteon XL41 by Chemours) is the leading replacement refrigerant for R410A in scroll and screw chillers. It has a GWP of 466 — 78% lower than R410A — while delivering similar cooling capacity and efficiency. R454B is mildly flammable (A2L classification) but can be safely used in properly designed equipment.
Where it is used: New air cooled scroll chillers, new screw chillers, replacing R410A in new equipment designs from 2024 onwards.
Why it matters: Under the US EPA AIM Act, HFCs with GWP above 700 are being phased down in new equipment. R454B meets the requirements and is the refrigerant of choice for new chiller equipment sold in the US market.
Key properties:
- GWP: 466
- ODP: 0
- Boiling point: -51.7°C (similar to R410A)
- Safety classification: A2L (mildly flammable)
- Cooling capacity: Comparable to R410A
→ Read our complete R454B refrigerant guide
R513A — Replacement for R134A in Centrifugal Chillers
R513A is the low-GWP replacement for R134A, developed for use in centrifugal chillers and other low-pressure applications. It is an azeotropic blend of R1234yf and R134A, offering a GWP of 573 compared to R134A’s 1,430. Major chiller manufacturers are transitioning centrifugal chiller designs to R513A.
Key properties:
- GWP: 573
- ODP: 0
- Safety classification: A1 (non-flammable)
- Drop-in replacement: Not a direct drop-in for R134A — requires equipment redesign
R717 (Ammonia) — Best Efficiency, Industrial Use
Ammonia (R717) has the highest thermodynamic efficiency of any refrigerant and has been used in industrial refrigeration for over 150 years. It has zero GWP and zero ODP. However, ammonia is toxic and requires specialist engineering, certified operators, and leak detection systems. It is not used in standard commercial chillers.
Where it is used: Large industrial refrigeration (food processing, cold storage, breweries), ammonia-water absorption chillers, district cooling plants.
Key properties:
- GWP: 0
- ODP: 0
- Boiling point: -33.3°C
- Safety classification: B2L (toxic, mildly flammable)
- COP: 15–20% higher than HFC refrigerants
R22 — Phased Out, Legacy Systems Only
R22 was the dominant refrigerant in air conditioning and chiller systems for decades. It has been phased out under the Montreal Protocol due to its ozone depletion potential. Production of virgin R22 ended in most developed countries by 2020. R22 is no longer specified for new equipment anywhere in the world.
Current situation: R22 is only available as reclaimed or recycled refrigerant for servicing existing systems. Prices have increased significantly as supply diminishes. If you have equipment running on R22, consult a refrigeration engineer about retrofit options (R407C is the most common drop-in replacement).
Key properties:
- GWP: 1,810
- ODP: 0.055
- Status: Phased out — do not specify for new equipment
Which Refrigerant Should You Specify for New Chiller Equipment?
| Chiller Type | Capacity Range | Recommended Refrigerant | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air cooled scroll chiller | 2RT – 100RT | R454B | R410A (still available) |
| Air cooled screw chiller | 50RT – 300RT | R454B / R407C | R410A |
| Water cooled screw chiller | 50RT – 1,000RT | R134A / R407C | R513A (new designs) |
| Centrifugal chiller | 300RT – 5,000RT | R134A / R513A | R1233zd(E) |
| Process chiller (low temp) | Any | R404A / R507A | R448A, R449A |
Refrigerant Phase-Down Timeline — What You Need to Know
Kigali Amendment (Global): HFC phase-down began in developed countries in 2019, targeting an 85% reduction by 2036. Developing countries follow a delayed schedule.
US EPA AIM Act: Phasing down production and import of HFCs. Key restrictions on high-GWP refrigerants in new equipment have been implemented from 2025.
EU F-Gas Regulation: Banning refrigerants above GWP 750 in new equipment from 2025 in certain applications. Significant impact on R410A and R134A availability in Europe.
Practical advice for equipment purchasers:
- For equipment being installed in the US: Specify R454B for scroll/screw chillers
- For equipment being installed in Europe: Confirm refrigerant compliance with current F-Gas regulations
- For equipment being installed in the Middle East / Southeast Asia: R410A and R407C remain fully available and are the most economical choice
- For long-term installations (15+ years): Choose lower-GWP refrigerants to avoid future restrictions on servicing
Geson Chiller — Available Refrigerant Options
Geson industrial chillers are available with the following refrigerants depending on model and configuration:
- R410A — Standard for scroll chillers, most economical, widely available globally
- R407C — Standard for screw chillers, suitable for R22 retrofit applications
- R134A — Available for large water cooled screw chillers
- R454B — Available for new scroll and screw chiller orders, recommended for US market
- R513A — Available on request for specific applications
- R22 — Available for spare parts and servicing of legacy Geson equipment only
When placing an order, specify your required refrigerant, local regulations, and voltage. Geson engineering will confirm compatibility and recommend the optimal configuration for your application.
Request a Quotation — Specify Your Refrigerant →
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