Air conditioners depend on refrigerant gases to maintain cool temperatures indoors. Aircons may require gas refills if the gas pressure drops. There are a few types of refrigerants that can be used in aircon units. During gas refills, it is necessary to know the gas type to make it compatible with the aircon system. Let’s know the gas types of aircon systems in Singapore.
Different Types Of Aircon Gas In Singapore
The gas type of the aircon in Singapore is dependent on their installation date. Below is a detailed breakdown of different refrigerants and their presence in the market.
R22 (Older Units – Mostly Phased Out)
- Common in: They are most common in aircon installed before 2010.
- Status: Discontinued in modern aircon units.
- Environmental impact: High potential for depletion of the ozone layer and carbon emission.
- Servicing impact: Since R22 is no longer available in the market, the servicing cost of aircon using this gas will be high.
R410A (Units Installed Between 2010–2023)
- Common in: Airon units that were installed between 2010 and 2023 commonly use R410A gas.
- Status: Banned in 2022. New aircon units are not coming with this gas.
- Environmental impact: Does not harm the ozone layer but has higher global warming potential due to higher carbon emission.
- Servicing impact: Servicing will be possible but repair costs will be higher as time passes.
R32 ( Most modern units, from 2018 to onwards)
- Common in: Most modern air conditioners use R32. Almost all new aircon units use this gas.
- Status: R32 is the main refrigerant choice in Singapore right now.
- Environmental impact: Reduced global warming potential and carbon emission. Substantially lower than R410A.
- Servicing impact: Readily available in the market. Servicing and refill costs will be the least.
R290 (Limited Use in Some Eco-Friendly Models)
- Common in: A few commercial aircon units such as a few Media aircon use this gas.
- Status: Less frequently used compared to R32.
- Environmental impact: More environmentally friendly than R32 but less popular due to its flammability.
- Servicing impact: Not readability available. Servicing and refill costs will be higher.
Aircon Refrigerants- infographic
Ban On R410A And Related Products
The National Environment Agency ( NEA), Singapore plans to eliminate R410A from older air conditioners. Because of its substantial Global Warming Potential, NEA wants more environmentally friendly refrigerant substitutes. From the beginning of 2023, Singapore banned the import of R410A air conditioners while favoring more eco-friendly refrigerants such as R32 and R290.
Why is R410A banned?
High GWP contributes to climate change.
Which gas types are replacing it?
The most common replacement is R32 while R290 serves specific models.
Can you still use an R410A aircon?
You can continue using current R410A air conditioners though refilling their gas will likely become costly.
Brandwise Aircon Gas Type in Singapore
Different brands have different models with different refrigerant variants. Below are a few popular aircon brands in Singapore along with their gas type:
Mitsubishi Aircon Gas Type
Gas Type: R32 (current models)
Popular Models: Starmex Series
Why R32? Higher cooling efficiency, eco-friendly
Daikin Aircon Gas Type
Gas Type: R32 (current models)
Popular Models: iSmile Series, Multi-Split Inverter
Why R32? Lower environmental impact, better energy efficiency
Panasonic Aircon Gas Type
Gas Type: R32 (current models)
Popular Models: X-Premium Inverter, Aero Series
Why R32? Improved heat transfer, lower refrigerant charge required
Midea Aircon Gas Type
Gas Type: R32 & R290 (current models)
Popular Models: Multi-Split Inverter, Eco Series
Why R290? More eco-friendly, but less common than R32
LG Aircon Gas Type
Gas Type: R32 (current models)
Popular Models: Artcool, Dual Inverter Series
Why R32? Energy savings, faster cooling
FAQ
Which gas type is the best for air conditioners in Singapore?
R32 is the best choice considering its energy efficiency, availability in the Singapore market and reduced environmental impact.
Are R410A air conditioners still available for purchase in Singapore?
In Singapore, New R410A air conditioners are not imported from 2023 anymore yet existing units can receive service.
Is R290 better than R32?
Although R290 has a lower global warming impact than R32. However, it remains less popular because of its flammability.
Is there a plan to discontinue R32 in upcoming years?
R32 is the most preferred choice as an aircon refrigerant for now. However, we can not definitively say anything about the future. If any better aircon gas comes up in the future, R32 may also be phased out.
