R-407C & R-410A are two very similar refrigerants. They have similar thermodynamic performance and naming conventions, and they even share two of the same components.
In this article, we explain the basic composition of R-407C and R-410A refrigerants. You’ll also learn the key differences in performance and applications.
What is R-407C?
R-407C is a blend of three different types of refrigerants. You can combine R-134a, R-125, and R-32 to create a zeotropic mix called R-407C. It was created to offset the ozone damage from another refrigerant. R-22.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed R-22 & R-142B as two of the biggest contributors to ozone layer depletion. As a result, you have companies creating safer alternatives to R-22.
The benefit of R-407C is that you get a refrigerant that is similar in performance to R-22. But with a zero chance of damaging the ozone layer. Compatibility is key here. You can easily replace the R-22 refrigerant in your older HVAC systems and split AC units with the safer R-407C.
And you don’t have to worry about performance. By switching to R-407C, you theoretically get 97% of the older R-22 refrigerant.
But it’s not just the ozone layer you need to consider. Your refrigerant also has the potential to increase global warming. We’ll discuss the global warming potential of refrigerants later in the article.
Properties of R-407C
Table 1 – List of material and chemical properties of the R-407C refrigerant.
| Refrigerant Properties | Values for R-407C |
| Chemical Composition | 52% 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) |
| 25% Pentafluoroethane (R-125) | |
| 23% Difluoromethane (R-32) | |
| Molecular Weight | 86.20 g/mol |
| Boiling Point | -43.56°C (-46.40°F) |
| Critical Temperature | 86.74°C (188.13°F) |
| Critical Pressure | 4.62 MPa |
| Specific Heat, Liquid at 25 °C (77 °F) | 1.540 kJ/kg·K |
| Specific Heat, Liquid at 25 °C (77 °F) (1 atm) | 0.830 kJ/kg·K |
You must pay attention to the specific heat of the refrigerants. Specific heat is a way to measure the amount of energy it takes to increase the temperature of a fluid by 1°C. So if your AC refrigerant has a higher specific heat, it will take more electricity to cool your room.
What is R-410A?
R-410A is a blend of two refrigerants. You can mix equal parts of R-125 and R-32 to create a stable refrigerant, R-410A. Alongside R-407C, it’s another popular ozone-safe refrigerant.
In terms of refrigerant performance, it’s more efficient than your R-407C option. All while being a liquid with a more stable boiling point.
But R-410A has a higher operating pressure. So it cannot be swapped for your older R-22 refrigerant. You would need to make some serious modifications to your old R-22 AC before you can replace it with R-410A.
Speaking of replacing refrigerant. Let’s say your residential AC unit has a small leak and it lost some of its refrigerant. If your AC uses R-410A, a quick top-up is very easy. But that’s not the case for R-407C. You will need to remove all the existing R-407C, then replace it with a fresh batch.
Similar to R-407C, R-410A also has a high global warming potential. So much so that in the next few years you will not be able to buy R-410A. In the United States, the EPA has ruled that businesses should phase out R-410A.
Properties of R-410A
Table 2- List of material and chemical properties of the R-410A refrigerant.
| Refrigerant Properties | Values for R-410A |
| Chemical Composition | 50% Pentafluoroethane (R-125) |
| 50% Difluoromethane (R-32) | |
| Molecular Weight | 72.58 g/mol |
| Boiling Point | -51.53°C (-60.76°F) |
| Critical Temperature | 72.13°C (161.83°F) |
| Critical Pressure | 4.93 MPa |
| Specific Heat, Liquid at 25 °C (77 °F) | 1.840 kJ/kg·K |
| Specific Heat, Liquid at 25 °C (77 °F) (1 atm) | 0.832 kJ/kg·K |
Differences Between R-407C & R-410A, In Comparison to R-22
It’s important to compare R-407C and R-410A with your older R-22 Refrigerant. After all, both these blends were designed to replace R-22 without compromising on performance.
Table 3 – Comparison of R-407C and R-410A refrigerants relative to R-22.
| Refrigerant Properties | R–22 | R-407C | R-410A |
| Theoretically Performance | 100% | 97% | 93% |
| Energy Efficiency | High | Medium-High | High |
| Compression Ratio | 2.66 | 2.82 | 2.63 |
| Temperature Glide | 0°C | ~5-7.2°C | ~0.1°C |
| Boiling Point | Lowest | Lower | Low |
| Critical Temperature | High | Medium | Low |
| Operating Pressure | Low | Medium | High |
| Flammability | Non-Flammable | Non-Flammable | Non-Flammable |
| Toxicity | Non-Toxic | Non-Toxic | Non-Toxic |
| Retrofit R-22 Systems | – | Possible | Not Possible |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | 0.05 | 0 | 0 |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | 1,810 | 1,774 | 2,087 |
Now, let’s go over all the major differences between R-407C and R-410A refrigerants.
1. Temperature Glide (Zeotropic Mixture)
Both R-407C & R-410A are zeotropic blends of refrigerants. Meaning the boiling points of their components are different. Therefore, zeotropic mixtures don’t have a fixed boiling point. Instead, they have a boiling temperature range. That boiling temperature range is called a temperature glide.
Table 4 – Temperature glide breakdown for refrigerant R407C & R410A
| Refrigerant R-407C | Refrigerant R-410A | ||
| Composition | Boiling Temperature | Composition | Boiling Temperature |
| R-32 | -52 °C | R-32 | -52 °C |
| R-125 | -48.5 °C | R-125 | -48.5 °C |
| R-134a | -26.3 °C | – | – |
| Average Boiling Temperature | 43.8 °C | Average Boiling Temperature | 48.5 °C |
| Temperature Glide | ~5-7.2°C | Temperature Glide | ~0.1°C |
A higher glide temperature means unreliable performance. This eventually leads to inefficiency in your systems.
2. Retrofitting Compatibility
R407C is designed for retrofitting. It ensures your old AC units remain relevant even after the R-22 ban. This makes it the only option for businesses and homeowners updating their HVAC system.
R410A is a more stable composition. To achieve that stability, you have to give up on compatibility. This means you have to either fully modify your old AC unit. Or get the more updated model that supports R410A.
3. Operating Pressure & Ambient Temperature
R410A is the better-performing refrigerant. But it operates at a higher pressure and has higher ambient temperature limits. Therefore, regions with a particularly hot climate avoid this refrigerant.
You can get R-410A in the United States, Europe, and some parts of Asia. But you’ll find that R-407C is more commonly used in the Middle East and the UAE.
4. Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
Let’s quickly cover the ozone depletion potential of refrigerants. Almost all refrigerants carry some risk of ozone damage. Hence the entire need for newer blends, like 407C & 410A.
In terms of ozone protection, both these refrigerants are completely safe.
But if you look closer, there is another problem with these liquids.
5. Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Unfortunately, both these refrigerants as well as their predecessor carry a high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
R-407C is slightly less bad for the environment. It has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1,774. This is lower than the 1,810 GWP of R-22. However, R-410A has a higher 2,087 GWP.
Therefore, many countries are now slowly phasing out both R-407C & R-410A in favor of greener alternatives. Currently, R-32 and R-454B are the two most similarly performing alternatives.
Applications of R-407C & R-410A
Let’s wrap this discussion up with a round-up of the most common applications for each of these refrigerants.
What Is R-407C Used For?
R-407C is used in almost all types of residential and commercial cooling systems. But the high glide temperature means its cooling performance is limited.
You’ll find R-407C refrigerant in the following setups.
- Retrofitting Older R-22 AC Units
- Residential Split AC Units
- Commercial HVAC Systems
- Heat Pump Systems
- Cold Room Setups
What Is R-410A Used For?
Because of its superior performance, R-410A is widely used in residential and commercial cooling systems. You will find R-410A in the following systems.
- High-Efficiency HVAC
- Data Centers
- Commercial Chillers
- Heat Pumps
- Residential Split AC Units
- Retrofitting R-22 AC Units with Heavy Modifications
- Cold Room Setups
FAQ
Which Refrigerant is Better, R-407C or R-410A?
You will get similar cooling performance from both R-407C & R-410A refrigerants.
Can You Replace R-22 with R-407C or R-410A?
You can replace your existing R-22 refrigerant with R-407C. But you will need to modify your AC system to use R-410A.
Is R-407C or R-410A Refrigerant Banned?
Currently, neither R-407C nor R-410A refrigerant is banned. But countries are slowly phasing them out in favor of refrigerants with a lower global warming potential.
Which Refrigerant Has the Lowest (ODP) and (GWP) Rating?
R-32 and R-454B have Global Warming Potential (GWP) ratings of 675 & 465, respectively. Both refrigerants also have a Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) rating.
Is There an Efficiency Difference Between R-407C & R-410A?
R-410A is more efficient at cooling your surroundings. But it operates at higher pressures and ambient temperatures, making it less efficient in hotter climates.
Conclusion
R-407C and R-410A are two very similarly performing refrigerants. They are widely used in cold rooms, HVAC systems, split AC units, and heat pumps. You’ll see two key differences in performance. First, R-407C is compatible with older R-22 AC units. Second, R-410A is more energy efficient.
You may also find this blog post useful:
What is a refrigerant? The ultimate guide.
Types of Refrigerants: The Complete Guide
Which gas is used in air conditioners?
About The Author
Evan Wang
I am Evan Wang, the General Manager, Marketing Director, and SEO Expert at Sunnyda Cold Room. I have over 20 years of experience in the refrigeration industry, and my expertise is in commercial refrigeration solutions.
I’d be delighted to share practical ideas about refrigeration products, project selection, export trade, SEO, and marketing.
Let’s connect!
