As the phase-out of R404A refrigerant is now on the table because of its higher global warming potential (GWP), the industrial and commercial cooling systems are looking for an environmentally friendly alternative.
R407F refrigerant has emerged as a replacement for outgoing R404 refrigerant in refrigeration systems. In this article, we compare R404A and R407F on energy efficiency, performance, compatibility, and GWP, and help you de
.0termine whether switching to R407F is a good idea.
What is R407F?
R407F is a zeotropic hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blend refrigerant. It consists of R32 + R125 + R134 and is harmless to the ozone layer. R407F refrigerant is being considered as an alternative to R404A for commercial refrigeration applications because of its improved energy efficiency.
It also maintains reliable cooling performance in medium- and low-temperature systems. This refrigerant is non-flammable, and its safety classification is A1.
What is R404A?
R404A is a blended hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) made of R125, R143a, and R134a. It was designed to replace R502 and R22 refrigerants. R404A is the most commonly used high-GWP refrigerant. This refrigerant is usually used in low- and medium-temperature refrigeration applications. It is non-flammable and classified as A1.
R407F vs R404A: The Comparison
The table below shows the compositions and properties of R407F and R404A refrigerants at a glance:
| Factor | R407F | R404A |
| Refrigerant Type | HFC | HFC |
| Composition | 40% R134a, 30% R32, 30% R125 | 52% R143a, 44% R125, 4% R134a |
| Typical Lubricant | POE | POE |
| GWP | Lower | Higher |
| Temperature Glide | Moderate | Lower |
| Operating Temperature | Low and medium | Low and medium |
| Fire Rating | A1 | A1 |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | Zero | Zero |
Composition and Properties
R407F: R407F refrigerant is a blend of three components: 40% R134a (Tetrafluoroethane), 30% R32 (Difluoromethane), and 30% R125 (Pentafluoroethane).
R404A: R404A refrigerant is a blend of three hydrofluorocarbon gases: 52% R143a (Trifluoroethane), 44% R125 (Pentafluoroethane), and 4% R134a (Tetrafluoroethane)
Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity of the refrigerants largely depends on the evaporator and condenser operating temperatures and the size of the compressor.
R404A: R404A’s cooling capacity ranges from 1,787 Watts to 5,573 Watts across evaporator temperatures of -25°C to +5°C.
R407F: R407F has cooling capacity similar to R404A.
Temperature Glide
Temperature glide is the difference between saturated liquid temperature and saturated vapor temperature. Zeotropic refrigerants like R407F can have substantial temperature glide, which depends on the operating conditions, approximately 4°K (7°R).
R407F: It has a temperature glide of approximately 4.0-6.4 Kelvin (K) or °C during phase change, which is greater than R404A. It depends on the operating pressure.
R404A: Its temperature glide is considerably lower than R407F. It measures about 0.5°F to 1.5°F (approximately 0.3°C to 0.8°C).
Discharge Temperature
Discharge temperature is the temperature of the gas leaving the compressor. It should remain around 350°F to prevent compressor damage.
R407F: The discharge temperature of R407F ranges from 18°F to 27°F.
R404A: The discharge temperature ranges from 90°C to 115°C (194°F to 239°F).
A refrigerant’s discharge temperature depends on the operating conditions and atmospheric temperature.
Oil Compatibility
A refrigerant’s oil compatibility largely depends on the refrigerant type and the lubricant working together to ensure proper cooling and compressor sealing. Both refrigerants (R407F and R404A) are compatible with Polyolester (POE) lubricants.
Polyolester typically mixes well with HFC and HFO refrigerants such as R404A and R407F, but absorbs moisture readily and undergoes hydrolysis if water is present.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
A refrigerant with low GWP compared to other refrigerants is considered less harmful for global warming.
R407F: The global warming potential of R407F is 1824, which is lower than R404A.
R404A: This refrigerant has a higher GWP of 3,920.
Applications
R407F
R404F refrigerant has various commercial applications, including:
Supermarket refrigeration: R407F is widely used in multi-compressor installations, central rack systems, display cases, and checkout counters.
Large Cold Storage Rooms: It is used in low- and medium-temperature cold rooms to preserve food.
Food Processing and Production: R407F is also utilized for reliable temperature control in meat, dairy, and processing operations.
Transport Refrigeration: This refrigerant is used in transport units that require reliable cooling capacity with a significantly lower carbon footprint.
R404A
The commercial and industrial applications of R404A refrigerant include:
Supermarket display cases: R404A refrigerant keeps frozen and chilled food items at safe and consistent temperatures.
Ice Machine: It assists in the industrial and commercial production of ice
Walk-in Coolers and Freezers: R404A regulates large temperature-controlled walk-in freezers in grocery stores, restaurants, and food service facilities.
Transport Refrigeration: Keeps perishable items cool and safe inside refrigerated trucks and shipping containers.
Can R407F replace R404A?
Systems that use R407F consume up to 15% less energy than systems that use R404A.
Moreover, using R407F can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40%. It can also be retrofitted into existing systems and applied to new installations.
As R407F has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), it is environmentally friendly and compliant with current regulations. It also provides consistent temperature control and is suitable for new equipment and retrofitted systems, which can be adjusted. With all these characteristics, R407F can replace R404A without losing performance.
Conclusion: R407F vs R404A. Which is Better?
R404A has been a popular choice for commercial applications due to its performance and zero ODP. But R407F’s GWP is 50% lower than R404A’s GWP of 3,920 and has zero ODP, making it a perfect alternative to R404A. R407F is commonly used in cold storage, supermarket refrigeration, and transport refrigeration. Its balanced performance makes it a practical choice for energy-efficient and dependable refrigeration solutions.
FAQs
Can I replace R404A with R600a?
No, R404A cannot be replaced with R600a in current refrigeration systems. These two refrigerants have entirely different thermodynamic properties and boiling points. Moreover, R404A is a non-flammable (class A1) refrigerant, whereas R600a is a highly flammable (class A3) refrigerant.
What refrigerant can I mix with 404A?
You should not mix R404 refrigerant with any other refrigerant inside a system. When you combine different gases, it creates an unverified blend with unpredictable pressures, substandard cooling efficiency, and compressor failure risks.
Can I replace R404A with R134a?
No, you should not replace R404A with R134a refrigerant. R404A refrigerant operates at much higher pressures than R134a, which can lead to poor cooling, oil return failures, and compressor damage.
Is R407C compatible with R404A?
R407C is not compatible with R404A, and these two refrigerants should never be combined or substituted for one another. R404A is used for low- and medium-temperature commercial refrigeration, such as ice machines and food freezers. On the other hand, R407C is made for comfort air conditioning and heat pumps.
What is the difference between R407C and R407F?
R407C and R407F consist of the same three chemical components (R125, R32, and R134a), but these refrigerants mix them in different ratios. This gives them different pressure levels and uses.
407F vs 407C. Which is better?
R407F is better for low- and medium-temperature commercial refrigeration. And R407C works better for residential air conditioning and standard heat pump uses.
What makes R407F equivalent to and an alternative to R404A, R507, and R22?
R407F is an effective replacement for R404A, R507, and R22, as its thermodynamic properties and performance match theirs. R407 refrigerant also offers a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP).
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!
