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

When a technician looks at your outdoor unit and mutters “R22” or “R410A,” it often sounds like expensive gibberish. You just want the house cool again without getting ripped off.

We have handled thousands of units across Puchong and Kuala Lumpur, and we see the confusion constantly. Understanding these gas types is the only way to know if you are being charged fairly or if it is time to stop repairing an obsolete machine.

Let’s look at the data, the real costs involved in 2026, and the practical steps you should take for your home.

Quick Comparison: The 2026 Snapshot

Feature	R22 (The Old Guard)	R410A (The Current Norm)	R32 (The Future)
Era	Pre-2015	2010-2020	2018-Present
Status	Phased out (Illegal to import units)	Standard	Most Efficient
Est. Cost/kg (KL)	RM120-150+ (Scarcity pricing)	RM60-80	RM80-100
Oil Type	Mineral Oil	Synthetic (POE)	Synthetic (POE)
Efficiency	Low	Good	Excellent (+10%)
Eco Impact	High Ozone Damage	High Global Warming	Low Impact

R22 (Freon/HCFC-22)

The Hard Truth About R22

We encounter these units mostly in older neighborhoods like Bandar Kinrara or established parts of KL. If your aircond was installed before 2015, it likely runs on this gas.

The Insider Reality: R22 relies on Mineral Oil for lubrication. This oil is incompatible with newer gases, which is why you cannot simply swap in a modern refrigerant without destroying the compressor.

The Malaysia Phase-Out Schedule

The Department of Environment (DOE) in Malaysia has strictly adhered to the Montreal Protocol.

• 2015: Malaysia banned the manufacturing and import of R22 air conditioners for the local market.
• 2020: A 35% reduction in R22 import quotas was enforced.
• 2030: A complete ban on the import of R22 gas itself is scheduled.

What This Means for Your Wallet

Supply is shrinking while demand from old units remains.

• Skyrocketing Costs: In 2020, R22 was around RM50/kg. Today, you might pay upwards of RM120/kg in the Klang Valley.
• The “Dirty Gas” Risk: Unscrupulous vendors sometimes sell “recycled” R22 filled with moisture. This ruins compressors instantly.

R410A (Puron)

The Transition Standard

Most units installed between 2010 and 2020 use this refrigerant. It was the industry’s answer to ozone depletion.

Why It Is Different: R410A is a 50/50 blend of two other gases (R32 and R125).

The Critical “Liquid Charge” Rule

We train every technician to charge R410A strictly in liquid form. Because it is a blend, charging it as a gas causes “fractionation.”

• The Problem: The lighter gas escapes the cylinder first, changing the chemical composition of what goes into your AC.
• The Result: Your AC runs, but cooling performance drops significantly, and energy usage spikes.

Current Market Status

• Availability: Widely available in Malaysia.
• Price: Stable at RM60-80/kg.
• Lifespan: Manufacturers are slowing production of R410A units in favor of R32, but parts remain abundant.

R32 (Difluoromethane)

The New Efficiency King

If you bought a Daikin or Panasonic unit after 2018, you are likely running R32. It effectively solves the problems of its predecessors.

Key Technical Advantages:

1. Single Component: Unlike R410A, R32 is a pure gas. It is easier to recycle and can be topped up in any state (gas or liquid) without imbalance issues.
2. Higher Capacity: It carries heat more effectively. A unit with R32 requires roughly 30% less refrigerant by mass to do the same job as an R410A unit.

Addressing the Flammability Myth

You may have heard rumors that R32 is flammable.

• The Fact: R32 is classified as A2L (Mildly Flammable).
• The Context: It is difficult to ignite. A concentrated flame source is required, and the gas must be in a specific concentration. In a standard home installation, it poses virtually zero risk when handled by certified professionals.

Price Range: RM80-100/kg

How to ID Your Refrigerant (Without Calling a Pro)

Method 1: The Data Plate

Go to your outdoor compressor unit. Look for the silver or white sticker on the side.

• Scan for: “Refrigerant,” “Refrig,” or “Gas.”
• Example: It will explicitly say “R410A” or “R32.”

Method 2: The Service Port Size (Pro Tip)

We can often tell just by looking at the charging valve.

• R22: Uses a standard 1/4-inch charging port.
• R410A/R32: Usually uses a slightly larger 5/16-inch port to prevent technicians from accidentally hooking up the wrong equipment.

Method 3: Brand & Age Guidelines

• Daikin Malaysia: Aggressively switched to R32 around 2016/2017.
• Panasonic: Began the transition around the same time.
• Acson/York: Older models (pre-2015) are almost certainly R22.

Can You Switch Refrigerants?

The Short Answer: Absolutely Not.

We get asked this weekly: “Can’t you just put the cheaper R410A into my R22 unit?”

The Technical “Why”:

1. Pressure Differences: R410A operates at pressures nearly 60% higher than R22. Putting high-pressure gas into an R22 compressor will cause the pipes to burst.
2. Oil Incompatibility: As mentioned, R22 uses Mineral Oil. R410A and R32 use Synthetic Polyolester (POE) Oil. These oils do not mix. The result is a thick sludge that kills your compressor.

What If You Still Have an R22 Unit?

You are at a crossroads.

Option A: The Band-Aid (Top-Up) If the leak is tiny and the unit cools well otherwise, you can top it up.

• Warning: Expect to pay a premium. The price of R22 will only go up as the 2030 ban approaches.

Option B: The Replacement (Recommended) If your compressor fails or a major leak occurs, do not fix it.

• The Math: Spending RM400-RM600 to repair an R22 unit is often 30-40% of the cost of a brand new, energy-saving R32 inverter unit.

Environmental Impact Comparison

Metric	R22	R410A	R32
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)	0.055 (Bad)	0 (Safe)	0 (Safe)
Global Warming Potential (GWP)	1810	2088	675

The Takeaway: R32 has a GWP that is roughly one-third of R410A. It is significantly better for the planet and complies with Malaysia’s green energy goals.

Transparent Pricing for Gas Top-Up (Puchong/KL)

We believe in upfront pricing so you don’t get a shock after the work is done.

• R22: RM100-RM150/kg (Market price fluctuates due to scarcity)
• R410A: RM80/kg
• R32: RM100/kg

Note: We include a gas pressure check for free with every chemical wash service.

Future-Proofing Your Next Purchase

When you shop for a new unit in 2026, keep these three factors in mind:

1. Mandatory R32: Do not buy “clearance” stock running R410A. Stick to R32 for long-term parts availability.
2. Inverter Technology: R32 pairs exceptionally well with inverter compressors, offering electricity savings of 30-50% over non-inverter models.
3. Correct Sizing: An oversized unit short-cycles (turns on/off too fast), which increases humidity and wears out parts.

Need a Professional Assessment?

We service every type of unit in the Puchong and Kuala Lumpur area. Technicians from our team carry the specific gauges and oils for R22, R410A, and R32, ensuring your system gets exactly what it needs without cross-contamination.

Learn more about our Gas Top-Up service