R-404A has been a go-to refrigerant for commercial freezers, display cases and ice machines since the 1990s. Now the questions are about the rules: Is it banned? Virgin or reclaimed? What goes in the system when R-404A gets too expensive? This guide answers those and shows how to buy R-404A without waiting on a quote.
Quick answer: R-404A is a blend of R-125, R-143a and R-134a used in low- and medium-temperature commercial refrigeration. It’s classed A1 (lower toxicity, nonflammable), has zero ozone depletion potential and a GWP of about 3,920. It is not banned, and existing R-404A systems can keep being serviced with it, but EPA rules keep it out of many kinds of new equipment, and supply is shrinking under the AIM Act phasedown. We sell 100% virgin R-404A in 2 lb cylinders and in 24 lb cylinders by the quarter, half or full pallet, plus reclaimed R-404A by the pallet. See all R-404A and live pricing
What R-404A is
- Chemistry: 44% R-125, 52% R-143a and 4% R-134a by weight, all HFCs. It contains no chlorine, so its ozone depletion potential is zero.
- Safety class: A1 under ASHRAE 34, meaning lower toxicity and no flame propagation.
- GWP: about 3,920 using the IPCC AR4 values EPA uses for its HFC rules (Chemours lists 3,943 using AR5). That’s high, which is why the HFC rules hit R-404A hard.
- Near-azeotropic: its glide is under 1°F, so it behaves almost like a single-component refrigerant. It’s still a blend, so charge it as a liquid.
- Oil: POE. Chemours notes that equipment makers call for POE oil when an R-502 system is converted to R-404A.
What R-404A is used for
Chemours designed R-404A to replace R-502 and R-22 in low- and medium-temperature commercial refrigeration: walk-in coolers and freezers, display cases, ice machines, refrigerated trucks, supermarket systems, remote condensing units and cold storage. It is not a refrigerant for home air conditioners or heat pumps. Always go by the nameplate.
R-404A properties and pressures
| R-404A | |
|---|---|
| Type | HFC blend, near-azeotropic |
| Composition (by weight) | 44% R-125, 52% R-143a, 4% R-134a |
| Safety class (ASHRAE 34) | A1 (lower toxicity, nonflammable) |
| Ozone depletion potential | 0 |
| GWP, IPCC AR4 (EPA) | About 3,920 |
| GWP, IPCC AR5 (Chemours) | 3,943 |
| Boiling point at 1 atm | −51.6°F |
| Temperature glide | Under 1°F (about 0.7°F) |
| Saturation pressure at −20°F | About 17 psig |
| Saturation pressure at 20°F | About 57 psig |
| Saturation pressure at 100°F | About 237 psig |
| Oil | POE (polyolester) |
| Replaced | R-502 and R-22 in commercial refrigeration |
Sources: EPA SNAP lists (composition, safety class, GWP); 40 CFR Part 84, Appendix A; Chemours Freon™ 404A thermodynamic properties (boiling point, liquid pressures rounded to the nearest psig) and Opteon™ XP40 retrofit guidelines (glide, AR5 GWP).
On the job, a 20°F coil shows suction in the mid-50s psig, and 100°F condensing puts head pressure near 237 psig. Use an R-404A P-T chart and the equipment maker’s superheat and subcooling targets.
Is R-404A being phased out?
No, but three sets of federal rules affect it.
- Supply. The AIM Act phasedown caps U.S. HFC production and imports at 60% of the baseline for 2024 through 2028 and 30% for 2029 through 2033. Allowances are counted in CO2-equivalent, so every pound of a high-GWP blend like R-404A uses up more of the cap than a lower-GWP refrigerant does.
- New equipment. EPA’s Technology Transitions rule (40 CFR 84.54, as revised in 2026) sets GWP limits by equipment type. New supermarket systems installed from January 1, 2027 and new remote condensing units installed from July 27, 2026 must use refrigerants with a GWP under 1,400. That limit drops to 150 or 300 on January 1, 2032. New self-contained retail food units made or imported since January 1, 2025 must be under 150 GWP, and R-404A is banned by name in new road and marine refrigerated transport units made since that date. See EPA’s restrictions by sector for every subsector and date.
- Servicing. The rules on new equipment don’t stop you from servicing an existing R-404A system with R-404A, and EPA says components used to repair existing systems aren’t covered by the installation restrictions. Since January 1, 2026, appliances holding 15 lb or more of HFC refrigerant fall under EPA leak repair rules (20% leak rate for commercial refrigeration). From January 1, 2029, servicing supermarket systems, refrigerated transport and automatic commercial ice makers that contain HFCs must be done with reclaimed refrigerant.
What that means for buyers: R-404A will be needed for service work for years while new supply keeps shrinking. For the rules on who can buy and handle refrigerant, see our EPA guidelines.
Virgin vs reclaimed R-404A
Virgin R-404A is newly produced. Reclaimed R-404A is refrigerant that was recovered from equipment and reprocessed. Under EPA’s rules, refrigerant is only “reclaimed” if it has been reprocessed to the purity specifications in 40 CFR Part 82 (based on AHRI Standard 700) and tested to prove it. Since January 1, 2026, refrigerant sold as reclaimed may not contain more than 15% virgin HFC by weight, and EPA-certified reclaimers must label their containers.
In the system, both work the same way. The differences are about where you can use and ship them:
- California: state law (SB 1206) bars selling bulk HFCs with a GWP above 2,200 in California, but the limit doesn’t apply to reclaimed refrigerant. Our virgin R-404A listings can’t ship to California addresses. Our reclaimed R-404A listing doesn’t carry that restriction.
- 2029 servicing rule: supermarket, refrigerated transport and automatic commercial ice maker work will need reclaimed refrigerant from January 1, 2029.
Our reclaimed R-404A comes from a reclaiming supplier. The only refrigerant we reclaim in-house is R-22.
Retrofit options: R-448A and R-449A
For an R-404A system with years left in it, the common nonflammable retrofit choices are R-448A (Honeywell Solstice® N40) and R-449A (Chemours Opteon™ XP40). Both are A1 HFC/HFO blends that EPA SNAP lists as acceptable for retrofit and new supermarket systems and remote condensing units.
| Refrigerant | GWP (AR4) | Safety class | Oil in an R-404A retrofit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-448A (Solstice N40) | 1,387 | A1 | Usually no oil change | Under the 1,400 limit for new supermarket systems and remote condensing units |
| R-449A (Opteon XP40) | About 1,397 | A1 | Usually no oil change | Under the 1,400 limit; Chemours lists 1,397 (AR4) |
| R-404A | About 3,920 | A1 | POE | Over the 1,400 limit for new supermarket systems and remote condensing units |
| R-507A | About 3,990 | A1 | POE | Close cousin of R-404A; never mix the two |
Sources: EPA SNAP lists for supermarket systems and remote condensing units; 40 CFR 84.54 and 84.64; Chemours and Honeywell retrofit guidelines.
What the manufacturers say about converting an R-404A system:
- Not a drop-in. Honeywell states plainly that R-448A is not a “drop-in” replacement, and Chemours says R-449A retrofits require TXV adjustment, and in most cases a new R-449A power element.
- Oil. The POE oil already in an R-404A system is usually suitable for both, unless it’s contaminated or has a high acid number. Check with the compressor maker.
- Glide and controls. Unlike R-404A, both blends have real glide (Chemours shows about 7.6°F for R-449A), so use the correct dew and bubble points, and Honeywell recommends controlling on average coil pressures.
- Discharge temperature. Chemours lists R-449A at 18-36°F higher discharge temperature than R-404A. Low-temperature compressors may need demand cooling, so check the compressor maker’s guidance.
- Charge. Recover and weigh the R-404A, replace the filter-drier, evacuate, charge liquid only and label the system. Flash the liquid through the manifold so it never enters the suction line as liquid. Chemours suggests starting at about 85% of the R-404A charge, ending near 105%. Honeywell puts R-448A at about 5% more than R-404A.
Read the full Honeywell R-448A retrofit guide or the Chemours R-449A retrofit guide before you start. A retrofit is a job for a certified technician. We sell refrigerant, line set flush products and leak sealant, and we don’t do retrofits or service calls.
If a line set needs cleaning after a compressor burnout or during a refrigerant retrofit, our line set flush kit and Flush-It are made for refrigeration and air conditioning line sets. Follow the product instructions and the equipment maker’s procedure.
Low-GWP A2L blends like R-454A, R-454C and R-455A are listed by EPA SNAP for new equipment only, not for converting an R-404A system.
R-404A vs R-507A
R-507A is a 50/50 blend of R-125 and R-143a (GWP about 3,990) used in many of the same applications, and Honeywell covers both in one R-448A retrofit guide. They’re still different refrigerants: use what the nameplate calls for and never mix them. We sell R-507 in 25 lb cylinders by the pallet.
Buying R-404A from Absolute Refrigerants
- Virgin R-404A, 24 lb cylinders: quarter pallet (10), half pallet (20) or full pallet (40). 100% virgin, factory sealed. Cylinder branding can vary by stock. Pallets ship from the warehouse closest to you, with free freight to the lower 48. Can’t ship to California.
- Reclaimed R-404A, 24 lb cylinders: quarter, half or full pallet, factory sealed.
- R-404A 2 lb cylinder: factory-sealed virgin R-404A in a new tank, filled in the USA, for small top-offs and service vans. Free UPS Ground shipping to the lower 48. Weekday orders before 1 PM MST usually ship the same day, or add Ship It Today for $15 to guarantee same-day shipping. Local pickup in Scottsdale, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 1 PM. Can’t ship to California.
- Price: live pricing on every product page, no quote needed. The price per cylinder drops as you move from a quarter to a full pallet.
- Mixed pallets: need R-404A and other refrigerants on one pallet? Use our custom pallet request.
- At checkout: upload your EPA card or e-sign a waiver confirming the refrigerant goes to a certified HVAC technician. See Can I buy refrigerant without a license?
- Add-ons: our 3 in 1 leak sealant lists R-404A among its compatible refrigerants, for systems up to 5 tons.
Also stocking retrofit refrigerant? See R-448A and R-449A by the pallet. Our bulk refrigerant pallet buying guide covers pallet sizes, freight and receiving. We sell refrigerant, line set flush products and leak sealant only. We don’t sell equipment, and we don’t do service calls or leak repairs.
Shop R-404A: live pallet and cylinder pricing
R-404A FAQ
What is R-404A used for?
R-404A is used in low- and medium-temperature commercial refrigeration: walk-in coolers and freezers, reach-in and display cases, ice machines, refrigerated trucks and cold storage. It was designed to replace R-502 and R-22 in that equipment. It is not a refrigerant for home air conditioners.
Is R-404A being phased out or banned?
No. Existing R-404A equipment can still be serviced with it. But AIM Act limits are cutting HFC supply, EPA rules keep R-404A out of many kinds of new equipment (for example, new supermarket systems installed from January 1, 2027), and from January 1, 2029 supermarket, refrigerated transport and ice maker service must use reclaimed refrigerant.
What is the difference between virgin and reclaimed R-404A?
Virgin R-404A is newly produced. Reclaimed R-404A is recovered refrigerant that has been reprocessed to the AHRI 700 purity specifications in EPA's rules and verified by testing. Since January 1, 2026, refrigerant sold as reclaimed may not contain more than 15% virgin HFC by weight. Both are used the same way in an R-404A system.
Can I ship R-404A to California?
Our virgin R-404A listings cannot ship to California. State law (SB 1206) bars selling bulk HFCs with a GWP above 2,200 in California unless the refrigerant is reclaimed, and R-404A's GWP is about 3,920. Our reclaimed R-404A listing does not carry that restriction.
What can replace R-404A in an existing system?
The common nonflammable retrofit choices are R-448A (Solstice N40) and R-449A (Opteon XP40). Both are classed A1 and usually work with the POE oil already in an R-404A system, but neither is a no-work drop-in: expect expansion valve adjustment, a new filter-drier and a higher discharge temperature. Follow the manufacturer's retrofit guide and the compressor maker's advice.
Can I mix R-404A with R-448A, R-449A or R-507?
No. Don't mix refrigerants or top off an R-404A system with a different refrigerant. To convert, recover the whole R-404A charge first, then charge the new refrigerant and label the system.
What oil does R-404A use?
Polyolester (POE) oil. POE absorbs moisture, so keep the system open as briefly as possible and change the filter-drier when you open it.
Do I need an EPA card to buy R-404A?
At checkout you can upload your EPA card or e-sign a waiver confirming the refrigerant goes to a certified HVAC technician.
