Puron Advance vs. R-454B Refrigerant
Puron Advance and R-454B are the same thing, as Puron Advance is a brand name for this type of refrigerant. Other R-454B refrigerants include Opteon XL41 and Solstice 454B. These emerging refrigerants replace the traditional R-410A to provide more eco-friendly options supporting optimal energy efficiency.
This article focuses on what these emergency refrigerants are and their impact on HVAC systems and homeowners, including information such as:
- Overview of Puron Advance and R-454B refrigerants
- Environmental impact and efficiency
- Compatibility with HVAC systems
- Cost and availability
- Making the right choice for your air conditioner
Keep reading to discover if Puron Advance or R-454B is right for your HVAC unit.
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Overview of Puron Advance and R-454B Refrigerants
Puron Advance is a type of R-454B refrigerant. These emerging refrigerants are phasing out R-410A to reduce the global warming potential of HVAC units. The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 called for the migration to R-454B to begin in January 2025. Still, many manufacturers got ahead of the game to offer HVAC solutions that complied with this refrigerant earlier.
Carrier developed Puron Advance to work with specific high-efficiency HVAC systems. R-454B is compatible with a wide range of modern air conditioning systems.
Environmental Impact and Efficiency
For decades, HVAC manufacturers built systems to run with help from R-22 and R-410A, refrigerants that help cool warm air to ensure optimal temperatures in your home. However, older refrigerants contain chemicals known as hydrofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons — you can just call them HFCs and HCFCs. These are known and potent greenhouse gases.
R-22 was eventually phased out by R-410A due to HCFC content. But now we know the HFC content in R-410A is also bad for the environment — specifically the ozone layer. R-454B uses a blend of HFC and a different chemical — hydrofluoroolefin (HFO). This decreases its GWP, making it more environmentally friendly than previous refrigerants.
R-454B has a lower GWP than R-410A. Side-by-side comparisons have also indicated that R-454B has a higher heating and cooling capacity and drives a slightly better SEER2 rating than older refrigerants.
Compatibility With HVAC Systems
The environmental and efficiency benefits of R-454Bs like Puron Advance are great, but you can’t just swap out your refrigerant and get those wins. Using incompatible refrigerants can lead to serious issues requiring AC replacement.
R-454B operates at lower pressures than R-410A, and it has a mild flammability classification that older AC units may not be designed to handle. These and other factors mean HVAC parts may not operate optimally — or at all — with incompatible refrigerant.
That doesn’t mean you can’t switch to a more eco-friendly refrigerant. You can do so by installing a new and more efficient HVAC unit or talking to an HVAC professional about options for upgrading and retrofitting your existing unit.
Even among R-454B refrigerants, not all are compatible with every HVAC unit. Puron Advance, for example, works in specific models such as recent Carrier single-stage heat pumps and Bryant’s Preferred single-stage air conditioner.
Cost and Availability
As of early 2025, R-454B refrigerant, especially Puron Advance, is more expensive than older refrigerant types. This is due mainly to supply and demand. As older refrigerants are phased out, newer options will become more widely available and cost-effective.
Making the Right Choice for Your Air Conditioner
If you suspect a problem with your refrigerant, don’t try to address it yourself. Call the professionals to handle the AC repair to ensure the issue is fixed correctly the first time and that the correct refrigerant is used. Talk to the team at Champion Air for more information about the best refrigerant for your unit or upgrading to eco-friendly options.
Upgrade Your AC With the Best Refrigerant — Contact Champion Air Today
We provide AC maintenance services for all AC brands, new and old. However, if your old AC unit is struggling or you want to invest in a more efficient and eco-friendly refrigerant, we can provide options for upgrades or new installations to support optimal comfort levels in your home.
