Your new air conditioner almost certainly runs on R32. Here's what you actually need to know about it.
If you've bought a new air conditioner recently, R32 is printed on a label somewhere on the unit. Your installer may have mentioned it. But what is it — and should you be concerned that it's classified as 'mildly flammable'?
The short answer: no. The longer answer is reassuring, and worth understanding.
Why the industry switched to R32
For decades, air conditioners ran on R22 and later R410A — refrigerants that work well but carry significant environmental cost. R410A has a Global Warming Potential of 1,900, meaning 1kg of it released into the atmosphere has the same greenhouse effect as 1,900kg of CO2. R22 is even higher at 1,810. These refrigerants are being phased out globally.
R32 has a GWP of 580 — about 70% lower than R410A. It also delivers roughly 5% better energy efficiency, meaning your unit runs slightly better on it than it would on the refrigerants it replaces. It uses about 10% less refrigerant by weight for the same cooling capacity. The environmental case is straightforward.
About that 'mildly flammable' classification
R32 is classified as A2L — 'lower flammability.' That sounds alarming until you understand what it actually means. R32 burns extremely slowly — less than 10cm per second, far below typical flammable gases. More importantly, it cannot be ignited by electrical arcs or sparks. Only direct contact with an open flame can ignite it.
Context that matters
The cooking gas (LPG) in most South African homes is far more flammable than R32. LPG can be ignited by an electrical arc, a spark, or static electricity. R32 cannot be ignited by any electrical source inside the air conditioner — only by direct open flame. The safety precautions for R32 are less demanding than those already in place for domestic gas appliances.
What this means for you at home
For the person living with an R32 air conditioner, the practical implications are minimal. The unit is factory-engineered for R32 — all electrical components are specifically rated to prevent any spark in areas where refrigerant could be present. The refrigerant charge is sealed inside the system. Labelling on the unit indicates the refrigerant type and safety classification for any technician working on it.
A typical 24,000 BTU unit contains about 2.5kg of R32. If the entire charge were to leak into an average-sized room, the concentration would still be well below the lower flammable limit. Under realistic conditions, reaching a flammable concentration essentially requires both a complete refrigerant loss and an exceptionally small, sealed space.
What's different for servicing
R32 does require different handling from older refrigerants — and this is entirely the technician's responsibility, not yours. Correct vacuuming procedures, leak testing, digital-scale refrigerant charging, and proper recovery equipment are all standard requirements for authorised R32 technicians. No open flames near the work area is the core safety rule.
For you as a homeowner: use an authorised Jet-Air technician for any service work on your R32 system. This isn't just for safety — it's a warranty condition.