R-407C vs R-410A
Reviewed · pressures computed with CoolProp 8.0 from the same data as the PT charts
Can you use R-407C in an R-410A system, or R-410A in an R-407C system?
No. The pressure curves are far apart: R-410A runs 93.1 psi higher than R-407C at 100°F condensing and 55.2 psi higher at 40°F evaporating. Each system's compressor, metering device and charge are built for its own refrigerant, and Arkema states there is no retrofit or drop-in replacement for R-410A.
Pressures side by side
Saturation pressure in psig at sea level. Evaporating rows use the vapor (dew) value, condensing rows the liquid (bubble) value, which is what you compare with suction and liquid-line gauges. The last column is R-410A minus R-407C.
| Saturation | R-407C | R-410A | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporator (vapor, dew) | |||
| -20°F | 6.5 | 26.2 | +19.7 (+305%) |
| 0°F | 19.4 | 48.2 | +28.8 (+148%) |
| 20°F | 37.9 | 78.4 | +40.5 (+107%) |
| 30°F | 49.6 | 97.0 | +47.5 (+96%) |
| 35°F | 56.1 | 107.3 | +51.2 (+91%) |
| 40°F | 63.2 | 118.4 | +55.2 (+87%) |
| 45°F | 70.7 | 130.1 | +59.4 (+84%) |
| 50°F | 78.8 | 142.6 | +63.8 (+81%) |
| Condenser (liquid, bubble) | |||
| 80°F | 165.8 | 236.5 | +70.7 (+43%) |
| 90°F | 194.1 | 275.4 | +81.3 (+42%) |
| 95°F | 209.4 | 296.4 | +87.0 (+42%) |
| 100°F | 225.5 | 318.5 | +93.1 (+41%) |
| 105°F | 242.4 | 341.9 | +99.4 (+41%) |
| 110°F | 260.3 | 366.4 | +106.2 (+41%) |
| 115°F | 279.0 | 392.3 | +113.3 (+41%) |
| 120°F | 298.6 | 419.4 | +120.8 (+40%) |
| 125°F | 319.2 | 447.9 | +128.8 (+40%) |
| 130°F | 340.7 | 477.9 | +137.2 (+40%) |
Properties
| Property | R-407C | R-410A |
|---|---|---|
| Safety class | A1 | A1 |
| Type | HFC, zeotropic blend | HFC, near-azeotropic blend |
| Composition (mass %) | R-32 23, R-125 25, R-134a 52 | R-32 50, R-125 50 |
| GWP (AR4) | 1,774 | 2,088 |
| Lubricant | POE | POE (PVE in some compressors) |
| Boiling point (14.7 psia) | -46.5°F | -60.6°F |
| Critical point | 187.0°F, 673 psia | 160.4°F, 711 psia |
| Glide at 40°F evaporating | 11.1°F | 0.2°F |
| Glide at 100°F condensing | 9.0°F | 0.2°F |
| US status | GWP 1,774 is above the 700 limit for new US residential and light commercial AC/HP from Jan 1 2025; servicing and R-22 retrofits of existing systems remain allowed. | Since Jan 1 2025 no new residential or light commercial AC/HP may be made with it; servicing existing systems remains legal, and split systems built from pre-2025 components may still be installed. |
Component compatibility
| Item | R-407C | R-410A |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | R-32/R-125/R-134a 23/25/52 | R-32/R-125 50/50 |
| Lubricant | POE (Copeland POE-32) | POE (PVE in some compressors) |
| PT column | Dew for superheat, bubble for subcooling | One column is close enough (glide about 0.2°F) |
| Charging | Liquid only; top off as liquid | Liquid |
| Flooded evaporators | Not recommended (Arkema) | Per OEM |
| Recovery machine | AHRI 740 machine (40 CFR 82.158 App. B3) | AHRI 740 machine (40 CFR 82.158 App. B3) |
| Cylinder | RAL 7044 gray (legacy medium brown) | RAL 7044 gray (legacy rose) |
| New AC equipment (US) | GWP 1,774: same restriction as R-410A | Only with components made or imported before Jan 1 2025 |
What changes in the field
These two came out of the same R-22 transition and went different ways. R-407C runs close to R-22 pressures and was used to retrofit R-22 systems. R-410A runs at much higher pressure and was used in new equipment. From the PT data, at 100°F condensing R-407C bubble is 225.5 psig and R-410A is 318.5 psig. At 40°F evaporating, R-407C dew is 63.2 psig and R-410A is 55.2 psi higher.
Glide is the big service difference. R-407C has about 11.1°F of glide at 40°F evaporating and about 9.0°F at 100°F condensing. That means the bubble and dew columns are far apart, and reading the wrong one throws superheat or subcooling off by several degrees. Use dew for superheat and bubble for subcooling, or use the temperature glide calculator. R-410A’s glide is about 0.2°F, so one column works.
Charge both as liquid. Arkema says R-407C goes in as liquid only, and Chemours says to top it off in the liquid phase after a leak. Arkema also does not recommend R-407C for flooded evaporators.
Oil is the same family. Chemours lists POE only for R-407C, and R-410A also runs POE (or PVE in some compressors). Even so, use the grade on the compressor label.
Retrofit or replacement
There is no conversion in either direction.
- R-407C into an R-410A system: R-407C would run at about 71% of the design condensing pressure at 100°F, with a large glide the metering device was never sized for. Arkema states there is no retrofit or drop-in replacement for R-410A. And at GWP 1,774, R-407C does not get around the R-410A rules anyway.
- R-410A into an R-407C system: an R-407C system runs at R-22-class pressures, and R-410A would push it about 41% above them at condensing. Treat it the same as R-410A into an R-22 system.
If you have an existing R-407C system, service it with R-407C, which remains legal. If you are replacing one, see What replaces R-410A. The Technology Transitions rule (40 CFR 84.54) applies the same GWP-700 limit for new residential and light commercial AC and heat pumps to both refrigerants.
Capacity, efficiency and cost
The manufacturer documents used here give no capacity or efficiency comparison between R-407C and R-410A, so no figure is quoted. The two are not alternatives in the same equipment.
GWP on the AR4 basis is 1,774 for R-407C and 2,088 for R-410A. Both are HFCs under the AIM Act phasedown: 60% of baseline in 2024–2028, 30% in 2029–2033 and 15% from 2036. Supply of both will tighten under the same caps.
Common questions
What is the difference between R-407C and R-410A?
R-407C is a three-part zeotrope with large glide that runs near R-22 pressures. R-410A is a two-part near-azeotrope that runs about 41% higher at condensing. Both are A1, use POE, and have GWPs above 700.
Which is better, R-410A or R-407C?
Each is right only in the system built for it. R-407C was the retrofit route for R-22 systems (R-22 vs R-407C). R-410A was the new-equipment refrigerant.
Can you mix R-407C and R-410A?
No. Recover each into its own cylinder. A mixed charge matches neither PT chart.
PT charts and calculators
Sources
- Arkema Forane 407C product page forane.arkema.com
- Chemours Freon 407C technical bulletin pages.chemours.com
- Arkema: R-32 as a replacement for R-410A forane.arkema.com
- Copeland AE Bulletin 93-11: Refrigerants and Lubricants Approved for Use in Copeland Compressors webapps.copeland.com
- 40 CFR 84.54: Technology Transitions restrictions ecfr.gov
- 40 CFR Part 84 Appendix A: Regulated substances and exchange values ecfr.gov
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