If you've shopped for HVAC equipment recently, you've seen R454B everywhere. Every wall mount unit we stock uses it. Here's a plain-English rundown of what changed and what it means for your project.
Why the industry moved off R410A
Under the AIM Act, the EPA set limits on the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants used in new air conditioning equipment. R410A has a GWP of roughly 2,088, well above the new limit of 700 for most residential and light commercial AC. Manufacturers switched their product lines to lower-GWP refrigerants starting in 2025.
R454B has a GWP of roughly 466, which puts it comfortably under the limit. It's one of the main replacements the industry picked.
What's different about R454B
- Similar performance. R454B works at pressures and capacities close to R410A, so equipment performs the way contractors expect.
- A2L classification. R454B is rated "mildly flammable" (A2L). Equipment built for it includes safety features such as refrigerant leak detection, and installers need to follow the manufacturer's instructions and local code.
- Not a drop-in. You can't put R454B into an R410A system, or the other way around. Tools, recovery equipment, and service practices need to be A2L-rated.
What it means for wall mount units
Wall mount units are self-contained packaged systems. They're charged and sealed at the factory, so there's no field refrigerant piping to run on site. That makes the move to R454B simple for most wall mount projects: set the unit, make the electrical and control connections, and commission it.
If you're replacing an older R410A or R22 wall mount unit, you're replacing the whole unit anyway. You don't have to match the old refrigerant.
Should you still buy R410A?
New R410A equipment is being phased out, and parts and refrigerant for older systems will keep getting harder to find and more expensive. For a new install or a replacement expected to last 15+ years, buying current R454B equipment is the safer long-term choice.
Our R454B lineup
All 10 units in our Wall Mount HVAC Units collection are R454B, from the 2-ton SAH1024AA050N up to the 6-ton SGH1072AD090C, in standard and economizer versions. Questions about a specific site or replacement? Call 509-379-7075.