What does refrigerant do in an air conditioner?
Refrigerant is the fluid that carries heat. It absorbs heat from your room at the indoor coil, is compressed and pumped to the outdoor unit, and releases the heat outside. Reverse-cycle systems run the process the other way to heat. Without the right refrigerant charge, the system cannot cool or heat properly.
Not all refrigerants are equal. Some damage the ozone layer, and many are powerful greenhouse gases if they leak. Rules have changed as a result, and they affect what you can buy, how systems are serviced and what happens to old units. This guide explains the common types, the Australian rules and the alternatives.
What are the common air conditioning refrigerants?
The refrigerants you will find in Australian homes are R22 in older systems, R410A in many systems installed over the past two decades, and R32 in most new systems. Each has a different environmental impact and different rules for servicing.
R22
What it is: R22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) used in older air conditioners. It is sometimes called by the brand name Freon. Environmental impact: it depletes the ozone layer and is also a greenhouse gas. Regulation: under the Montreal Protocol, Australia has phased out HCFCs for new equipment, so supply for servicing old systems is limited and expensive.
R410A
What it is: R410A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blend that replaced R22. Environmental impact: it does not harm the ozone layer, but its global warming potential (GWP) is high, around 2,000 times that of carbon dioxide. Regulation: it is still serviced widely, but most manufacturers have moved their residential ranges to lower-GWP R32, and Australia’s HFC phase-down is reducing supply over time.
R32
What it is: R32 is a single-component HFC used in most new split and ducted systems sold in Australia. Environmental impact: its GWP is about a third of R410A’s, and systems typically need less of it. It is classed as mildly flammable, so installation and servicing follow specific safety requirements.
What alternative refrigerants are coming?
The main lower-impact alternatives are HFOs (hydrofluoroolefins) and natural refrigerants such as propane (R290) and carbon dioxide (R744). They have very low global warming potential, but each has trade-offs, and existing systems cannot simply be converted to use them.
HFOs (hydrofluoroolefins)
HFOs and HFO blends have very low GWP and are being used in some commercial and specialised equipment. They are not yet common in Australian home air conditioners.
Natural refrigerants (R290 and R744)
Propane (R290) and carbon dioxide (R744) have very low environmental impact. R290 is used in some portable and small units, and R744 is widely used in heat pump hot water systems. R290 is highly flammable, which limits the amount allowed in a system, and R744 runs at very high pressures. Equipment must be designed for them from the start; an existing system cannot be converted.
Which refrigerant regulations apply in Australia?
Australia regulates refrigerants under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, which puts the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment into effect. It controls imports, phases down HFCs, and requires licences for anyone who handles refrigerant or buys and sells it.
- Montreal Protocol: the international treaty that phased out ozone-depleting substances, including R22.
- Kigali Amendment (2016): extends the Montreal Protocol to phase down HFCs such as R410A. Australia began its HFC phase-down in 2018, steadily reducing the amount that can be imported.
- Licensing: technicians who handle refrigerant need a refrigerant handling licence, and businesses that acquire, store or handle refrigerant need a refrigerant trading authorisation. Both are issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) on behalf of the Australian Government. Frost Solutions’ authorisation number is ARCtick AU064493.
- Venting: deliberately releasing refrigerant to the atmosphere is an offence. Old systems must have their refrigerant recovered before they are removed.
What should homeowners consider?
Check which refrigerant your system uses, make sure anyone who works on it is ARC licensed, fix leaks rather than repeatedly topping up, and weigh refrigerant availability and efficiency when deciding whether to repair or replace an older system.
System compatibility
Every system is designed for one refrigerant, shown on the outdoor unit’s rating plate. You cannot swap an R22 or R410A system to R32 by changing the gas. When an old system is replaced, the pipework can sometimes be reused if it is in good condition and suitable for the new unit; your technician will check.
Safety and training
Refrigerants are under pressure, some are flammable, and all must be recovered rather than released. That is why the law requires licensed technicians. Ask to see the licence or ARCtick number of anyone offering to regas your system.
Cost and performance
New R32 systems are generally more efficient than the R22 systems they replace, which lowers running costs. Weigh the upfront cost of a new system against rising repair costs for an old one. If gas keeps running low, book a leak repair to find and fix the cause.
What is the bottom line?
Refrigerants have changed a lot, and the rules continue to tighten. For most homeowners, the practical points are simple: know what your system uses, use licensed technicians, fix leaks properly, and plan to replace R22 systems when they fail. If you are unsure about your system, ask us and we will take a look.