If you need a lower-GWP option to replace R134a, R450A is a smart choice. You can get similar cooling performance, use less energy, and meet today’s environmental rules.
This guide explains R450A refrigerant’s definition, properties, its pros and cons, where it’s used, and how it compares with R134a.
What is R450A Refrigerant?
R450A refrigerant is a low-guilde zeotropic blend composed of 42% R134a and 58% HFO-1234ze. It is specifically designed for medium temperature applications and is intended to replace traditional high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, such as R134a.
R450A provides performance close to R134a, although cooling capacity is typically 5-15% lower depending on operating conditions. Because of its HFO-1234ze component, it has a lower environmental impact.
Since its commercial introduction in the mid-2010s, R450A has become one of the leading lower-GWP alternatives to R134a in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems.
R450A Refrigerant Properties
Physical Properties
As a low-glide HFO / HFC refrigerant blend, R450A exhibits minimal temperature drift and stable operating conditions. If your system leaks slightly, you don’t need to recover all the refrigerant. You can top it off, saving time and reducing maintenance costs. This helps improve the stability and efficiency of the refrigeration system.
While R450A has a cooling capacity similar to that of R134a, its coefficient of performance (COP) can be 1% to 5% higher under medium temperature conditions, helping reduce energy consumption.
You can learn more about the properties of R450A refrigerant in the table below:
| Feature | R450a |
| Composition | 42% R134a & 58% R1234ze(E) |
| Molecular weight (g/mol) | 108.6 |
| Boiling point at 1atm (°C) | -23.1 |
| Critical temperature (°C) | 104.4 |
| Critical pressure (bar) | 38.2 |
| Critical density (kg/m³) | 492.2 |
| Liquid density at 0°C (kg/m³) | 1257.7 |
| Vapor density at 25°C (kg/m³) | 29.6 |
| Vapour pressure at 20°C (bar) | 5.54 |
| Vapour pressure at 54,4°C (bar) | 13.89 |
| ODP | 0 |
| GWP (IPCC) | 547 (AR5) |
| ASHRAE safety class | A1 |
| Temperature glide (K) | 0.4 |
| Oil | POE |
Chemical Properties
R450A refrigerant is stable and compatible with copper, aluminium, and steel, so retrofitting your system is simple. It does not cause issues such as pitting corrosion in piping, ageing of internal walls, or metal embrittlement.
When replacing traditional refrigerants, you do not need to make major modifications to the system. These properties reduce your retrofit costs and minimise risks. R450A is also compatible with polyester-based lubricants, reducing the risk of system leaks and the frequency of maintenance.
R450A refrigerant is classified as an A1-grade safety refrigerant, meaning it is non-flammable, non-toxic, or low-toxicity. This characteristic makes R450A safer and more reliable during use in refrigeration systems, keeping your team and equipment safer.
It is important to note that R450A is highly sensitive to moisture and impurities in the system. During equipment installation, maintenance, and recharging, you must ensure the system undergoes high-vacuum drying and strictly control the levels of internal moisture and acidic impurities to prevent ice blockages caused by moisture at the throttling point and chemical corrosion.
R450A Pressure Temperature Chart
| TEMP. (°F) | Liquid (psig) | Vapor (psig) |
| -40 | -16.5 | -16.9 |
| -35 | -14.4 | -14.9 |
| -30 | -12.2 | -12.6 |
| -25 | -9.6 | -10.2 |
| -20 | -6.7 | -7.3 |
| -15 | -3.5 | -4.3 |
| -10 | 0 | -0.8 |
| -5 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 0 | 4 | 3.6 |
| 5 | 6.3 | 5.8 |
| 10 | 8.9 | 8.3 |
| 15 | 11.6 | 11 |
| 20 | 14.6 | 13.9 |
| 25 | 17.9 | 17.1 |
| 30 | 21.4 | 20.6 |
| 35 | 25.2 | 24.3 |
| 40 | 29.4 | 28.4 |
| 45 | 33.8 | 32.8 |
| 50 | 38.6 | 37.5 |
| 55 | 43.7 | 42.5 |
| 60 | 49.2 | 47.9 |
| 65 | 55.1 | 53.7 |
| 70 | 61.4 | 59.9 |
| 75 | 68.1 | 66.5 |
| 80 | 75.2 | 73.5 |
| 85 | 82.8 | 81 |
| 90 | 90.9 | 89 |
| 95 | 99.4 | 97.4 |
| 100 | 109 | 106 |
| 105 | 118 | 116 |
| 110 | 128 | 126 |
| 115 | 139 | 136 |
| 120 | 150 | 148 |
| 125 | 162 | 159 |
| 130 | 175 | 172 |
| 135 | 188 | 185 |
| 140 | 202 | 199 |
Advantages of R450A Refrigerant
Lower Environmental Impact
With a GWP of just 547—significantly lower than R134a’s 1,430—it complies with the emission reduction requirements of the EU F-Gas Regulation and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in the United States. Using R450A refrigerant can significantly reduce a refrigeration system’s contribution to global warming and reduce the risks associated with the phased-out use of high-GWP refrigerants.
High Safety
R450A is classified as a safety refrigerant, safety class A1, indicating lower toxicity and complete non-flammability. Unlike A2L, slightly flammable refrigerants such as R32 and R454B require no additional explosion-proof, leak detection, or forced ventilation systems, thereby reducing the investment costs.
Better Energy Efficiency
R450A maintains a high coefficient of performance (COP) even under low-temperature conditions. Specifically, within the temperature range of -15°C to 10°C, its efficiency maintains comparable energy efficiency to R134a, with energy consumption within ±5% depending on system optimisation. For the same cooling requirements, using R450A refrigerant consumes less electricity, reducing your operating costs.
Easy System Compatibility
R450A’s better compatibility with usual refrigeration system materials makes it a good choice for replacing traditional refrigerants. There is no need to replace key components such as condensers or evaporators. You simply need to perform a cleaning and evacuation process before charging with R450A, significantly reducing retrofit time.
Disadvantages of R450A Refrigerant
Higher Costs
Although R450A offers significant energy-saving and lower environmental impact over the long term, its initial costs are relatively high.
Because its formulation contains HFO components, raw material costs are higher than the costs of R134a, resulting in a higher market price. Retrofitting large numbers of older units will also slightly increase the initial investment budget.
However, with the improvement of technology and the realisation of large-scale production, the cost of R450A is expected to gradually decrease.
Limited Suitability in Low-Temperature
R450A is primarily used in medium- to high-temperature refrigeration applications. In ultra-low-temperature cold storage facilities and quick-freezing units where evaporation temperatures fall below -30°C, R450A’s cooling capacity decreases significantly, discharge temperatures rise abnormally, and energy efficiency drops sharply, making it unsuitable for deep-freezing scenarios.
Check Frequently
Even though R450A replaces R134a in many systems, you should check expansion valves, compressor settings, and controls during retrofits.
R450A Refrigerant Applications
Commerce
You’ll see R450A refrigerant in supermarkets, display freezers, refrigerated trucks, and beverage coolers. It keeps your system efficient and conforms to environmental rules.
Industry
In the industrial refrigeration sector, R450A is used in food processing and chemicals. Its stable chemical properties and better material compatibility allow it to fit in complex industrial conditions, keeping the long-term, stable operation of refrigeration systems.
Air Conditioning Systems
In air conditioning systems, R450A can be directly applied in residential split-type air conditioners, commercial central air conditioning systems, and multi-split systems. Its low GWP and better efficiency enable R450A systems to operate while minimising environmental impact.
Other Applications
R450A is also suitable for use in heat pumps, heat recovery systems, vending machines, and beverage dispensers.
R450A vs R134a
To illustrate the differences between R450A and R134a more clearly, please refer to the comparison table below:
| Feature | R450A | R134a |
| Type of Refrigerant | R134a+R1234ze
a low-glide zeotropic blend of refrigerants |
Pure HFC refrigerant |
| GWP | 547 | 1430 |
| ODP | 0 | 0 |
| Boiling Point | -23.1℃ | -26.1℃ |
| Operating Pressure | Medium pressure, slightly lower than R134a | Operating pressure baseline |
| Environmental Friendliness | Low global warming potential according to environmental regulations | High global warming potential, facing phase-out pressure |
| Energy Efficiency | COP increases by 1% -5% under low temperature conditions | Benchmark energy efficiency performance |
| Material Compatibility | Good compatibility with commonly used refrigeration system materials | |
| Safety | A1， Non-flammable, non-toxic or low toxicity | |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Market Awareness | Gradually increasing | Widely recognized |
| Application | Commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, air conditioning systems, etc | Widely used in various refrigeration systems |
In most medium-temperature systems, R450A is more environmentally friendly and slightly more energy-efficient. R134a is cheaper and widely available, but it has a higher GWP.
R450A vs R513A
If you’re replacing R134a, R450A and R513A are two of the most common options available today. Both differ in capacity, retrofit ease, and environmental impact. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
| Property | R450A | R513A |
|---|---|---|
| GWP | 547 | 630 |
| Safety | A1 | A1 |
| Capacity | Slightly lower | Closer to R134a |
| Efficiency | Similar | Similar |
| Retrofit Ease | Good | Excellent |
Conclusion
R450A gives you a practical way to reduce environmental impact without decreasing the system performance. If you’re replacing R134a in medium-temperature refrigeration or air conditioning systems, R450A offers a safer long-term way with lower GWP and solid energy efficiency.
FAQ
Can R450A replace R134a?
Yes. R450A is one of the most widely used lower-GWP alternatives to R134a in commercial refrigeration and chiller applications. However, you should still check compressor compatibility, lubricant requirements, and operating pressures before retrofit.
Can R450A be used in ultra-low-temperature systems?
Not ideal. Its efficiency drops below -30°C.
Does R450A require system modifications?
You may need some adjustments, such as checking the expansion valves and compressor settings.
Does R450A comply with environmental regulations?
Yes. It meets EU F-Gas and Kigali Amendment standards.
Is R450A safe for technicians and equipment?
Yes. It’s an A1 safety rating that ensures non-flammability and low toxicity.
What should be noted when using lubricating oil?
Because of its 58% HFO, R450A is extremely sensitive to moisture. So, conventional mineral oil (MO) or alkylbenzene lubricating oil (AB) cannot be used. If it is modified from the R134a system, the dryness of POE oil must be ensured.
You may also find this related blog post very useful:
Which gas is used in air conditioners?
What is refrigerant, the-ultimate-guide?
R744 vs R134a: Differences, Performance, Cost, and Which to Choose
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!
