How much more can you pay for R-404A?

 

How much more will you pay for R404A?

 

This is a time of rapid change in the refrigeration and cooling industry. The F-Gas Regulation 517-2014 set out to phase down the use of high GWP refrigerants such as R-404A and R-507 and the first impact of the phase down caused by 'quota' restrictions is now being seen. For R-404A and R-507 this is only the start as the real impact will be next year, so now is the time to take action.

We are sure you have already noticed the price of R-404A and R-507 has been escalating dramatically since the turn of the year. One producer has already applied six significant increases since the start of the year with the latest being a 100% increase. Their R-404A price is now 7 times what is was only a few months earlier. Another producer has announced it intends to stop selling R-404A and R-507 next year. With the other producers also increasing prices by large amounts the clear intimation is that prices will continue to increase if demand for these high GWP products does not decline signifcantly.

READ MORE 
 

Replacements for R-404A and R-507

 

For new equipment check with compressor manufacturers for approvals as not all of them approve all refrigerants. There is enough equipment available on R-404A alternatives for all applications not to have to use R-404A and R-507 in new equipment.
These are the most popular ones which can be used in new equipment and for retrofit of existing systems with a number of our customers already successfully using these products:

  • Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) GWP 1397
  • Solstice® N40 (R-448A) GWP 1387
  • R-452A, (Opteon™ XP44) GWP 2140

Three low GWP replacements for R-404A which are mildly flammable are available. These are for new equipment and are not recommended for retrofit.  At present they are not approved by any compressors manufacturers but are undergoing extensive testing. The three products are:

  • Opteon™ XL40 (R-454A)
  • Opteon™ XL20 (R454C )
  • Solstice® L40X (R455A)

Climalife is an approved and trusted supplier of refirgerant gasses and we are dedicated to helping you trough the transition to low GWP refrigerants. If you require more information on replacing R-404A or R-507  in your specific application please do not hesitate to contact us by email or telephone.

 
READ MORE
 

NEW REFRIGERANT DETECTOR FOR OCCUPIED SPACES:

bACHARACH MVR-300™

MVR-300™ is a new refrigerant detector for occupied spaces to enhance safety, legislation compliance and HVAC efficiency.

Available from Climalife, the MVR-300™ is an ideal solution for refrigerant gas detection in hotel rooms, hospitals, offices or any other occupied spaces where high refrigerant volume HVAC systems are installed.  Versions are available for detecting R32, R407C, R410A and R404A. 
 
READ MORE