Not that long ago, R22 or R410A was in pretty much everything. If you were doing split system work, you were working with these refrigerants.
That’s changed. Governments worldwide, including Australia, have committed to phasing down refrigerants that contribute heavily to global warming. R410A is one of them, so manufacturers have been quietly swapping it out in new equipment, and the industry has moved on to alternatives.
The three you need to know in 2026 are R32, R290 and R454B. R32 is the gas you’ll encounter most on the tools since it’s in virtually every new residential split system. R290 (propane) is in small self-contained units like portable ACs and heat pump hot water systems.
R454B is the newer one coming through in larger commercial equipment, and it’s worth getting familiar with now. All three are replacing older, higher-emission refrigerants. All three need you to handle them differently.
This article runs through what each one is, where you’ll see it, and what you actually need to do differently.
Table of Contents
What GWP and Safety Classes Actually Mean
This number tells you how bad a gas is for the climate compared to CO₂. CO₂ scores 1. R410A scored 2,088, meaning releasing 1kg of R410A into the atmosphere was the equivalent of releasing over 2 tonnes of CO₂. The newer refrigerants score much lower.
- A1: Non-flammable. R410A and R22 were A1. Standard handling, no special fire precautions.
- A2L: Mildly flammable. R32 and R454B are here. Can technically ignite but needs the right conditions. Needs different recovery equipment.
- A3: Highly flammable. Completely different handling rules apply.
R32
GWP: 675
Safety class: A2L (mildly flammable)
If you’ve done a residential split system install recently, you’ve probably already worked with R32. It’s in essentially every new split system on the market. Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Panasonic, and LG all switched to it as standard.
Why it replaced R410A: Two reasons. First, its GWP is about a third of R410A’s, which helps manufacturers meet phase-down requirements. Second, it’s actually a more efficient refrigerant, which means systems need a bit less of it, typically around 20–30% less by weight for the same cooling capacity.
Typical charge sizes: A standard residential split runs somewhere between 600g and 1.5kg, depending on the size of the unit and how long the pipe run is. Larger multi-head systems hold more. Always check the manufacturer’s spec sheet for the exact unit you’re working on.
What to watch on the tools: The main shift from R410A is that R32 is mildly flammable. In practice, this doesn’t change your day-to-day workflow dramatically, but there are a few things you can’t ignore:
- Your recovery machine needs to be rated for A2L refrigerants. Older R410A machines often aren’t. Check before you start.
- Leak detectors calibrated for R410A won’t reliably pick up R32. You need a sensor that’s compatible.
- No open flames near open systems or suspected leaks. This should be second nature anyway, but it matters more here.
- Pressures are similar to R410A, so your existing gauge set should be fine, but confirm with the manufacturer if you’re unsure.
One useful thing about R32 is that it’s a pure refrigerant rather than a blend, which means if a system develops a partial leak, the gas that’s left behind hasn’t changed composition. That makes top-ups simpler, though you should always find and fix the leak first before adding gas.
Do you need a special licence? No. Your standard RAC01 or RSS03 covers it.
R290: The One That's Actually Propane
GWP: 3
Safety class: A3 (highly flammable)
R290 is propane, the same hydrocarbon in LPG, BBQ bottles and camp stoves. Its environmental credentials are excellent, but the trade-off is that it requires a different approach to working safely.
Where you’ll encounter it: You’re not going to see R290 in split systems or ducted units. Because it’s so flammable, Australian standards set very strict limits on how much of it can be used in occupied spaces. It’s really only practical in small, self-contained equipment like portable air conditioners and small display fridges. The kind of equipment where the refrigerant circuit is completely sealed and never opened on site.
What’s different about working with it?
R290 will ignite far more easily than an A2L refrigerant, and unlike something like LPG in a controlled environment, you often don’t have warning before a system is opened.
- No ignition sources near an open system or suspected leak.
- R290 is heavier than air, so it sinks and pools at floor level. Always ventilate properly before opening a system.
- You need hydrocarbon-rated recovery equipment.
- Standard refrigerant leak detectors won’t pick up R290. You need a combustible gas detector.
Most of the R290 equipment you encounter on a job will be factory-sealed, and the task will be recovering the gas for disposal rather than recharging. But you need to know what you’re dealing with before you open anything.
Do you need a special licence? Yes. In addition to your RAC01, you need a Gas Work Licence with a hydrocarbon endorsement to work on R290 systems. Get Skilled offers the Hydrocarbon Course Licence.
R454B: The One Coming Through in Commercial Equipment
GWP: 466
Safety class: A2L (mildly flammable)
R454B is the refrigerant most techs haven’t worked with much yet, but you’ll likely be seeing more of it over the next few years. It’s being used as the primary replacement for R410A in larger commercial systems and VRF equipment.
Why R454B? It’s designed to work in systems that were built around R410A. The difference is its GWP is much lower, which makes it compliant with where phase-down rules are heading. For manufacturers, it lets them update existing commercial product lines without redesigning them from scratch.
Where you’ll see it: Larger commercial air conditioning systems, commercial VRF equipment, and anything at the bigger end of the market that’s been updated from R410A. You’re not going to find it in a standard residential split system.
What’s different about working with it?
The gear you use for R32 work (A2L-rated recovery machine, compatible leak detector) will also work for R454B. Same ventilation and no-open-flame rules.
R454B is a blend of two refrigerants, which means if a system has a significant leak, the gas composition of what’s left behind can change. That means after a major leak event, you’ll often need to do a full recovery and recharge rather than just top up. You can’t assume what’s in the system is still the right mix.
Do you need a special licence? No. Your standard RAC01 or RSS03 covers it.
| R32 | R290 | R454B | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWP | 675 | 3 | 466 |
| Safety class | A2L — mildly flammable | A2L — mildly flammable | A2L — mildly flammable |
| Replaces | R410A | R134a, R404A (small systems) | R410A |
| Where you'll see it | Residential splits, ducted, light commercial
| Portable ACs, heat pump hot water, small sealed commercial units | Larger commercial HVAC, VRF systems |
| Typical charge | 600g–1.5kg (residential) | Under 150g (legally limited) | Multi-kg — check the spec sheet |
| Recovery machine needed | A2L-rated | Hydrocarbon-rated | A2L-rated |
| Leak detector needed | R32-compatible | Combustible gas detector | A2L blend-compatible |
| Australian licence | RAC01 | RAC01 + Gas Work Licence | RAC01 |
| Can you top up after a partial leak? | Yes (pure refrigerant — fix leak first) | Rarely — most systems are factory-sealed | Not always — full recharge may be needed |
Charge Limits: Why It Matters More Now
The reason R290 is only in small sealed systems comes down to charge limits. Australian standards (AS/NZS 5149) set maximum refrigerant charges based on how flammable the gas is and what type of space it’s being installed in.
For A3 refrigerants like R290, those limits in occupied spaces are very low, typically under 150g. Manufacturers design around those limits, which is why you see R290 in small self-contained units and nothing bigger.
For A2L refrigerants like R32 and R454B, the limits are more generous. Where it gets more complicated is large multi-head systems with high aggregate refrigerant charges.
If you’re designing or commissioning that kind of system, the charge limit calculation is something you need to actually run through rather than assume it’s fine.
Stay Ahead of the Refrigerant Transition
The shift to lower-GWP refrigerants isn’t slowing down, and the techs who understand the new gases, the safety requirements and the licensing will be the ones getting the calls.
Whether you’re an electrician looking to move into RAC work, or an experienced tech who needs to formalise your hydrocarbon qualifications, Get Skilled has the courses to keep you current and compliant.
- New to split systems? UEE20120 Certificate II in Split Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
- Need your hydrocarbon licence? Gas Work Licence
