R32 or R410A, which is the better heat pump refrigerant?

Heat pumps have proven to be a popular choice for heating and cooling homes. A compound called refrigerant allows heat pumps to perform their function. Heat pump refrigerants require only a small change in temperature to convert from a gas to a liquid and back. Some refrigerants use only one compound, while others combine several together in what are called blends. The refrigerant currently on the market is R410A, which replaced an earlier blend, R22. R410A will also be replaced by R32 heat pump refrigerant.
 

How does a refrigerant work?

The compressor compresses the gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which is sent to the condenser for cooling. After cooling, it becomes a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant, which is filtered and dehumidified in a dry bottle. The medium temperature liquid refrigerant is throttled and depressurized by the expansion valve (throttling part) and becomes a low temperature low pressure gas-liquid mixture (more liquid). After the evaporator absorbs the heat from the air and evaporates, the refrigerant turns into a gaseous state and then returns to the compressor for the next cycle.
 

Choosing the right heat pump refrigerant

The earliest refrigerant choices were either highly toxic or flammable. r12 was the first form used from the 1970s to 1994, when production was discontinued due to its negative impact on the ozone layer. r22 replaced it, although it was still slightly less damaging to the environment, and was phased out in 2010 in the u.s. and replaced by r410a. the current choice is between r410a and The current choice is between R410A and R32 heat pump refrigerants.

Advantages of R410A
R410A refrigerant was developed in the early 1990s primarily as an alternative with no harmful effects on the ozone layer. R410A heat pumps are also more affordable today, costing about the same as R22. Finally, it is easier to transport, use and store.
 
R32 Heat Pump Refrigerant
The newest option in the industry and the standard set used to replace R410A is R32, a hydrofluorocarbon compound that offers many advantages in terms of energy efficiency, environmental impact and safety. These are some of the important aspects in determining the suitability of a refrigerant, and R32 outperforms R410A in all metrics. some of its benefits include

Efficiency and energy savings
R32 heat pumps also have the advantage of operating efficiently and providing energy efficiency benefits. Because it can be recovered and recharged more efficiently than other heat pump refrigerant options, the R32 heat pump operates at a higher efficiency. With increased efficiency, the pump is more environmentally friendly and reduces the amount of energy you need to cool and heat your home. As a result, your monthly energy bills are lower and you don't suffer from sub-optimal performance.

 
It meets global regulations for manufacturing environmentally friendly products.
The Montreal Protocol of 1987 and the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 set the foundation for global standards for manufacturing environmentally friendly products. With the U.S. now planning to phase out R410A and the European Union's 2014 EU Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Regulation, updated regulations are in place. All of this puts more pressure on the use of low GWP refrigerants, with R32 being the highest GWP option available.
 
Green Properties
R32 has a number of green attributes compared to other refrigerant options. For example, R410A has a zero ozone depletion potential, which is the only positive green property. On the other hand, R32 heat pump refrigerant has a GWP of 675, which is significantly lower than 2088, and its ozone depletion potential is also zero. Therefore, R32 is a more environmentally friendly and sustainable solution.

Its makeup also adds to its green credentials. For example, R32 is a one-component refrigerant, not a mixture. This factor keeps its liquid and gaseous temperatures constant, with no saturation slip, as is the case with mixtures. Therefore, such a system makes recovery and charging easier, which means that you will need less refrigerant in the cycle, thus further reducing carbon emissions.
 
As a new technology, R32 will inevitably be more expensive than R410A, however, this is the only advantage the latter has over the former, and even then, R32 will be a better cost saver in the long run. You will also comply with legal requirements, especially in commercial applications. In addition, other reasons why you should switch from R410A or buy an R32 heat pump on your first purchase are
 
✴ R32 has a GWP of 675, which is about 70% lower than R410A, which has a GWP of 2088.
 
✴ Due to their single component nature, R32 heat pumps use 20% less refrigerant compared to R410 heat pumps. As a result, they have lower operating costs.
 
✴ R410A refrigerant cannot be recovered like R32, because the former is a mixture of compounds.
 
✴ R410A operates at high pressure, which is a safety hazard.
 
✴ Because of these pressures, R410A requires thicker compressors and thicker-walled piping to withstand the pressure, which can affect the design of your home.
 
✴ R410A refrigerants use polyester oil that is susceptible to moisture, which can create acid buildup in the circuits where the refrigerant enters.
 
✴ Regulations are phasing out R410A, so it's an investment in the future by getting the latest refrigerant solutions.
 
As already noted, upcoming regulations mean you may have to use R32 refrigerant by default. Fortunately, it comes with a number of positives in addition to the green credentials. As a result, it makes more sense to turn off R32 heat pumps than to use an option that is being phased out. Unfortunately, you cannot convert an R410A heat pump to an R32 heat pump. Even the handling of any refrigerant should be left to a trained and qualified technician.