| Option | GWP | Safety Class | Oil Change | Capacity Match | Canada Status |
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Refrigerant conversion in Canada: retrofit vs. equipment replacement
Canada's HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment is pushing the industry toward lower-GWP refrigerants. For technicians, this means two decisions on every job: retrofit the existing system with a compatible replacement refrigerant, or recommend full equipment replacement with a unit designed for the new refrigerant generation.
Retrofit is usually faster and cheaper in the short term. Equipment replacement costs more upfront but delivers better efficiency, lower refrigerant costs, and a system designed from the ground up for the new refrigerant. For systems over 15 years old, equipment replacement almost always makes more economic sense — the compressor, coils, and controls are near end of life regardless of refrigerant.
R-22 retrofit options for Canadian technicians
R-22 was fully phased out in Canada in 2020. Systems still running on R-22 can only be serviced with reclaimed refrigerant, and reclaimed R-22 prices have risen sharply as supply shrinks. The practical retrofit options are R-407C and R-422D. R-407C requires a POE oil flush — you must recover all R-22, replace the filter drier, add POE oil, and charge with R-407C. R-422D can often be used without changing the mineral oil, making the retrofit faster, but it has a higher GWP and lower availability in Canada.
Neither R-22 retrofit refrigerant is a drop-in. You always recover the existing charge first, and you may need to adjust the TXV or metering device. For any R-22 system under 10 years old in reasonable condition, evaluate retrofit. For systems over 15 years old with a failing compressor or coil, full replacement with R-32 or R-454B equipment is the better recommendation. Use the refrigerant charge calculator to plan the new charge weight after conversion.
R-410A phase-down: what technicians need to know now
R-410A systems manufactured before 2025 can still be serviced with reclaimed R-410A through the phase-down period. New equipment using R-410A is being discontinued by most major manufacturers in favour of R-32 and R-454B. When an R-410A system needs a compressor replacement or major repair, check availability and cost of reclaimed R-410A in your area before committing to repair. If the repair cost approaches equipment replacement cost, and the system is over 10 years old, replacement with a new R-32 or R-454B unit may be the better long-term recommendation.
R-32 and R-454B are A2L refrigerants. If you're new to A2L service, review the handling requirements in the refrigerant properties calculator before working on these systems.
Commercial refrigeration: R-404A and R-507A replacements
R-404A (GWP 3922) and R-507A (GWP 3985) are among the highest-GWP refrigerants still in common use in Canadian supermarkets and walk-in coolers. The primary retrofit options are R-448A and R-449A, which reduce GWP by roughly 65% while maintaining similar capacity and operating characteristics. Both require a POE oil flush and TXV adjustment. For new commercial refrigeration installations, CO2 (R-744) transcritical systems are increasingly specified in Canada, particularly for large supermarket applications where the efficiency advantages of CO2 at low temperatures and Canadian climate conditions make the economics work.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common R-22 retrofit options in Canada are R-407C and R-422D. R-407C requires a POE oil flush and TXV adjustment but offers good capacity match. R-422D can work with existing mineral oil in many cases, making the retrofit simpler. Neither is a true drop-in — always recover all R-22 first. For systems over 15 years old, full equipment replacement with R-32 or R-454B equipment is usually more cost-effective. Never mix R-22 with any replacement refrigerant. After conversion, use the superheat calculator and subcooling calculator to verify charge.
R-32 is not a drop-in for R-410A. While operating pressures are similar, R-32 has a higher discharge temperature, different mass flow, and requires A2L-rated components. Mixing R-32 with R-410A is not permitted. For an existing R-410A system, service with reclaimed R-410A. When the system reaches end of life, replace with equipment designed for R-32 or R-454B. R-454B is specifically designed as a near-drop-in replacement for R-410A in new equipment, but it also requires A2L-rated systems — it cannot be retrofitted into R-410A equipment.