Four Important Ice Bath Chiller Refrigerants 2025

As the global demand for environmental protection and energy efficiency increases, the refrigeration industry is accelerating the transition from high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants to more sustainable alternatives. R32, R410A, R454B and R290 are the most popular refrigerants on the market today, each offering unique advantages in terms of performance, safety and application scenarios.

This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the key characteristics, applications, and safety specifications of these four refrigerants, as well as a comparison of their energy-efficiency performance, to help you choose the most suitable ice bath solution.

Refrigerant Safety Classification (ASHRAE 34 Standard)

The safety of refrigerants is primarily classified based on flammability and toxicity:

Characteristics and applications of the four refrigerants

R32 Refrigerant

As a new generation of monomass refrigerant, the GWP value of 675 is greatly reduced compared with traditional refrigerants, and it is mainly used in small and medium-sized ice bath chillers. SYOCHI’s new customized cold plunge chillers are equipped with R32 with an inverter compressor, which can improve energy efficiency by 12%. But it should be noted that its A2 flammability level requires it to be equipped with an intelligent leakage monitoring system, which can ensure the safety of the laboratory environment.

R410A Refrigerant

This once dominant refrigerant blend is out of date, with a GWP value of 2,088. It is still used in SYOCHI’s effective cold plunge chillers and high-end ice bath chillers, but will be phased out after 2025. Although this refrigerant is non-flammable (class A1), its energy efficiency performance is lagging behind that of the new environmentally friendly refrigerants, and users are advised to prioritize upgrades. No worries, we can also replace your ice bath chiller refrigerant model according to your needs.

R454B Refrigerant

The refrigerant of choice for SYOCHI’s new ice bath chiller, with a GWP of only 466 and excellent energy efficiency. Particularly suitable for long-term operation of high-level ice bath equipment. It’s A2L flammability through the triple protection design (explosion-proof motor + leakage alarm + automatic cut-off) to ensure safety. Measurement shows that in cold working conditions, the cooling speed is 15% faster than the R410A model.

R290 Refrigerant

This natural refrigerant with a GWP of only 3 is mainly used in central air conditioning, heat pump air conditioning, domestic air conditioning and other small refrigeration equipment. It is particularly suitable for university laboratories and other scenarios with strict requirements on carbon emissions, and has natural environmental advantages.

Why SYOCHI changed to R454B instead of R410A?

As global environmental regulations tighten, SYOCHI, as a leading ice bath chiller brand in the industry, has begun upgrading its refrigerant from R410A to the more environmentally friendly R454B, a change that not only complies with international environmental trends, but also improves energy efficiency and long-term economy of use.

1. Key Comparison: R410A VS. R454B

2. Why choose R454B refrigerant?

• More environmentally friendly: GWP (Global Warming Potential) is significantly reduced, complying with EU F-gas regulations and China’s carbon reduction targets.
• Higher Energy Efficiency: Optimized compressor performance, lower electricity costs in the long run.
• Safe and Reliable: A2L has extremely low flammability and SYOCHI adopts anti-leakage
• welding design + intelligent detection system to ensure safety.
• Worry-free Problem: Avoid the maintenance and replacement costs caused by R410A phase-out.

The upgrade of the SYOCHI cold plunge chiller to R454B is a double progress of environmental protection and performance. If you are looking for a great ice bath chiller, the R454B model will be a better choice.

Comparison of refrigerant performance

Future trends and recommendations

With the tightening of environmental policies, the refrigerant market is undergoing major changes. R410A will be completely phased out after 2025, and the ice bath industry will mainly shift to the more environmentally friendly R454B and R32 refrigerants; by 2030, the proportion of ultra-low GWP R290 refrigerants used in small ice bath equipment will increase significantly. It is worth noting that ice baths using A2L refrigerants (such as R454B and R32) must comply with the latest IEC 60335-2-40 safety standards. It is recommended that users prioritize ice bath chillers equipped with these new refrigerants, and ensure that the manufacturer provides a comprehensive safety protection program to balance environmental performance and safety in use.

Choosing the right refrigerant involves balancing environmental priorities, efficiency goals, and operational safety. As regulations evolve, understanding these refrigerants in depth is no longer optional—it is essential. If you would like to know more about refrigerants and the standards for importing ice bath chillers in different countries, contact us for more details.