R410A vs R32 vs R22: Which Refrigerant Gas Does Your AC Use?

When an air conditioner stops cooling, the first question is often "does it need gas?". The second should be "which gas?". Three refrigerants dominate air conditioners in Oman, and they are not interchangeable.

How to find out which gas your unit uses

Look at the nameplate on the outdoor unit or on the compressor. It states the refrigerant, for example R410A, together with the charge in grams or kilograms. If the label has worn off, send us a photo of the unit and we will help identify it through our refrigerant gas supplier service.

R22: the older gas

R22 was the standard in air conditioners for decades. It is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that harms the ozone layer, and it is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol, with import controls in Oman. Units that still use R22 can often be serviced, but supply is shrinking, which is why many owners plan a replacement.

R410A: the common replacement

R410A is used in many newer split and packaged units. It works at a higher pressure than R22, so equipment, hoses and gauges must be rated for it. A system built for R22 cannot simply be filled with R410A.

R32: the newer option

R32 is found in many recent split units. It is more efficient and needs a smaller charge, but it is mildly flammable, so technicians must follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Never mix gases, never vent

• Use only the gas on the nameplate, with the oil specified for the compressor.
• Find and repair the leak before topping up, because low gas is usually a symptom of a leak.
• Recover old gas with the right equipment instead of venting it.
• Let a qualified technician charge the system.

Other gases you may meet

R407C appears in some packaged units and chillers, R134a in refrigeration and chillers, and R404A in low-temperature cold rooms. Our guide to AC spare parts in Oman explains the other parts that go with each system, from filter driers to gauges.

Need gas for a job? Send the gas type, cylinder size and quantity through our quotation request, and contractors who buy regularly can ask for volume pricing from our wholesale service.