If you've had an AC technician mention refrigerant types, or you're shopping for a new air conditioner, you may have encountered the terms R-22, R-410A, and R-454B. These are the three generations of residential AC refrigerant, and understanding the differences matters for maintenance, repair decisions, and equipment purchases.
R-22 (Freon): The Old Standard — Now Banned
R-22, commonly called Freon (a Chemours brand name), was the dominant residential AC refrigerant for decades. It was used in virtually all central AC systems manufactured before 2010.
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R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that depletes the ozone layer. Under the Montreal Protocol and subsequent EPA regulations, R-22 production and import in the US was banned effective January 1, 2020. Only recycled or reclaimed R-22 can be used for servicing existing systems.
What this means for Minnesota homeowners: If your central AC was installed before 2010 and uses R-22, you're running equipment that is increasingly expensive to maintain. R-22 refrigerant that would have cost $20/lb in 2015 now costs $100–$200/lb or more from reclaimed supplies. A refrigerant leak on an R-22 system is very expensive to repair.
If you have an R-22 system and it needs a refrigerant charge or has a leak: get quotes on replacement vs. repair. For most R-22 systems, replacement with a modern R-410A or R-454B system is the right economic decision.
R-410A (Puron): The Current Standard
R-410A, marketed as Puron by Carrier, replaced R-22 as the standard residential AC refrigerant beginning in the early 2000s. All new residential AC equipment installed between approximately 2006–2025 uses R-410A.
R-410A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) — it doesn't deplete the ozone layer. However, it has a very high global warming potential (GWP of approximately 2,088). Under the EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) and the AIM Act, R-410A is being phased down and eventually phased out in new equipment.
R-410A operates at higher pressures than R-22 (up to 600 psi vs. 250 psi for R-22), which requires different equipment and handling procedures. This is why R-22 and R-410A components are not interchangeable.
For Minnesota homeowners today: if you have an R-410A system (most AC installed after 2006), your equipment is current and well-supported. R-410A refrigerant is readily available and reasonably priced. The system will remain serviceable for years as R-410A is phased down — existing equipment can still be serviced with R-410A, it just won't be available in new equipment.
R-454B (Puron Advance): The New Standard
R-454B, marketed by Carrier as Puron Advance, is the next-generation refrigerant now required in new residential AC equipment. As of January 1, 2025, new residential AC systems in the US must use lower-GWP refrigerants, and R-454B (GWP of approximately 467 — about 78% lower than R-410A) is the dominant replacement adopted by major manufacturers including Goodman/Daikin, Carrier, and Trane.
R-454B is an A2L refrigerant — mildly flammable, which requires updated handling procedures and equipment design. New equipment sold in 2025 and beyond is designed specifically for R-454B.
R-454B and R-410A are NOT interchangeable. Equipment designed for one cannot be charged with the other.
What This Means When Buying New AC Equipment
If you're buying a new central air conditioner in 2025 or 2026, the equipment will use R-454B (or another approved lower-GWP refrigerant). This is fine — the equipment is designed for it and technicians are being trained for it. You don't need to do anything special; just know that a technician who needs to add refrigerant to your new system needs to use the right refrigerant type.
At Furnace Direct, the Goodman air conditioners we stock reflect the current refrigerant requirements. When browsing our catalog, you'll see the refrigerant type listed in product specifications.
Can I Mix Refrigerant Types?
No. You cannot mix R-22, R-410A, and R-454B in the same system. Each refrigerant requires compatible components (compressor, coil, expansion valve) and different system pressures. Mixing refrigerants damages compressors and voids warranties. This is why when replacing just the outdoor condensing unit, you must verify the indoor evaporator coil is compatible with the same refrigerant type.
Summary Table
| Refrigerant | Era | Status | GWP |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-22 (Freon) | Pre-2010 | Banned in new equipment; reclaimed only | 1,810 |
| R-410A (Puron) | 2006–2026 | In existing equipment; phasing down in new equipment | 2,088 |
| R-454B (Puron Advance) | 2025+ | Current standard for new equipment | 467 |
Browse New AC Equipment from Furnace Direct
Furnace Direct carries current Goodman air conditioners using the latest approved refrigerants at factory-direct wholesale pricing. Whether you need a replacement condensing unit or a complete system, we have it in stock.
Browse at furnace.direct/collections/cooling.
Related reading: How to Size Central AC | SEER Ratings Explained | Goodman AC Models Compared
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