Air Conditioning 2025: Brand & Refrigerant Guide

Air Conditioning 2025: Brand Innovations & New Refrigerants — A No‑Nonsense Guide

1) Executive summary — what actually changed in 2025

• Regulations forced the shift. Across Europe, new rules restrict high‑GWP refrigerants in small split systems from 1 January 2025. In practice, that squeezes R410A out of new single‑split AC. The market response: rapid adoption of R32 (A2L), R454B (A2L), and R290 propane (A3).

• Brands updated their line‑ups. You’ll see: wall‑mounted splits and air‑to‑water heat pumps on R290, mini‑VRF/VRF and rooftops on R32/R454B, plus smarter controls (presence sensors, adaptive fan/compressor logic) as standard on premium lines.

• Efficiency and acoustics improved. Inverter platforms, quieter outdoor fans, and better coil designs deliver higher seasonal ratings and lower sound levels. Bedroom‑friendly indoor units at ~19–21 dB(A) are now common at the top end.

• Safety is design‑led. A2L/A3 refrigerants need careful design and installation. Manufacturers now build in leak management, airflow strategies, and clearer service access to meet updated safety standards.

Bottom line: If you’re buying in 2025–2026, expect R32/R454B for most multi‑room and commercial systems, and R290 for many new residential splits and air‑to‑water heat pumps. Focus on noise, seasonal efficiency (SEER/SCOP), and serviceability—not just nameplates.

2) Refrigerant landscape — quick comparisons

Safety classes per ISO/ASHRAE: A1 (non‑flammable), A2L (lower flammability, slow burning), A3 (highly flammable). GWP values are rounded.

Key practical notes

• A2L vs A3: A2L (R32/R454B) offers a middle path: low GWP with manageable flammability under modern standards. R290 (A3) brings the lowest GWP and strong efficiency—but requires stricter design on charge size, ventilation, and placement.

• Service realities: Check your local rules for handling and leak checks. Ensure your installer is qualified for A2L/A3 and follows manufacturer‑specific instructions.

3) What the new rules mean for buyers

• Small single‑split systems with high GWP are out in new installations across Europe from 2025. Expect dwindling availability of new R410A single‑splits.

• Transitional windows: Multi‑splits, VRF, rooftops, and air‑to‑water heat pumps follow their own timetables, but the clear direction is lower‑GWP across the board.

• Spares & service: Legacy R410A systems aren’t “illegal,” but refrigerant and parts will trend pricier over time. If your unit is healthy, service it. If you’re upgrading, pick R32/R454B/R290 depending on use case and building constraints.

4) Brand innovations in 2025 — highlights by manufacturer

Below are headline updates relevant to UK/EU buyers. Always confirm local availability and exact model codes for your market.

Mitsubishi Electric — MSZ‑RZ (R290) wall‑mounted series

• What it is: Premium wall‑mounted inverter heat pump on R290 in compact sizes 25/35/50.

• Why it matters: Ultra‑quiet bedroom‑friendly sound pressure starting around ~19 dB(A) on low; efficient part‑load operation; designed to comply with new A3 requirements (charge management, placement guidance).

• Good for: Bedrooms, home offices, retrofits where facade space and noise limits are tight.

Daikin — Altherma 4 H (R290) + VRV 5 (R32) expansion

• Altherma 4 H: Air‑to‑water on R290 targeting boiler replacements. High water temperatures (up to ~75°C) enable radiator‑led retrofits with sensible flow temps. Wide capacity range ~6–14 kW; emphasis on low noise, installer‑friendly layout, and connected controls.

• VRV 5 (R32): Expanded indoor unit portfolio (including compact concealed/floor units) to fit tighter plant rooms and refurbishment projects.

• Good for: Whole‑home heating upgrades and multi‑room ductless/ducted designs where zoning and efficiency are key.

Carrier — Puron Advance™ (R454B) rooftops + VRF on A2L

• V‑Series/WeatherMaster®/WeatherMaker® rooftops shipped with R454B options; redesigned fans and aerodynamics cut energy and maintenance versus legacy belt‑drives. Factory‑tested with integrated controls.

• Emerging VRF on R454B in select markets, aiming to combine low GWP with high seasonal efficiency and broad operating envelopes.

• Good for: Retail/roof spaces, packaged replacements on existing curbs, small to mid‑size commercial with tight downtime requirements.

Midea — R290 A2W portfolio + H‑Pack “no outdoor unit” concept

• R290 air‑to‑water lines (e.g., Arctic/HT) with A+++ seasonal ratings at low water temps, quiet operation, and modern controllers.

• H‑Pack: An indoor hybrid heat pump on R290 designed to work without an outdoor unit, integrating with existing boilers—useful in dense urban settings or heritage facades.

• Good for: Flats/houses with facade constraints, and renovations seeking lower‑carbon heat without visible outdoor plant.

LG — MULTI V i (VRF) with AI‑driven control

• What it is: VRF platform using AI modes to sense occupancy, humidity, and seasonal patterns, adjusting compressors and fans for comfort and energy reductions. Remote diagnostics and fleet management built‑in.

• Good for: Schools, offices, hotels—spaces with fluctuating occupancy where automation prevents waste.

Panasonic — Aquarea L (R290) and IAQ features

• Aquarea L: R290 air‑to‑water generation with up to ~75°C water outlet (model/conditions dependent), very quiet outdoor operation, and options for PV/Smart Grid integration.

• IAQ: nanoe™ X remains a strong differentiator for indoor air quality, tackling odours and certain pollutants while systems heat/cool.

• Good for: Whole‑home heating retrofits and IAQ‑focused households.

Haier — R290 Hydro Split (A2W)

• What it is: Air‑to‑water Hydro Split and related R290 models across ~4–16 kW, with wide operating ranges and strong seasonal classes.

• Good for: Value‑driven A2W installs that still demand low GWP and cold‑weather performance.

Gree — R32 multi‑splits and central inverter R32

• What’s new: 2025 catalogue featuring R32 multi‑zone with seasonal ratings up to ~21–30 SEER2 (model dependent), plus FLEXX Ultra R32 central inverter systems for ducted replacements.

• Good for: Multi‑room retrofits where cost, availability, and installer familiarity matter.

5) Head‑to‑head: R32 vs R454B vs R290

Efficiency & capacity

• R290 typically offers excellent thermodynamic performance, delivering strong COP/SCOP—especially in modern A2W platforms. Wall‑mounted R290 splits also show high part‑load efficiency.

• R454B aims to match/beat R410A seasonal efficiency with lower GWP, often with minimal redesign for commercial packaged systems.

• R32 remains a solid all‑rounder with mature components and broad availability across sizes and brands.

Safety & design constraints

• R290 (A3): Strict charge limits by room size; attention to ventilation, placement height, and potential leak paths. Ideal where design can control these factors.

• R454B / R32 (A2L): Lower flammability class vs A3, but still demands compliant installation (leak detection/airflow in certain scenarios, service training). Generally easier to integrate into familiar architectures (VRF, rooftops, multi‑splits).

Portfolio & availability

• R32: Widest choice of indoor/outdoor form factors today.

• R454B: Fast‑growing in rooftops/packaged and entering VRF in some regions.

• R290: Rapid adoption in A2W and wall‑mounted splits; availability varies by country/building code.

Rule of thumb

• Small rooms/bedrooms and A2W boiler replacements: R290 if the layout and charge limits allow.

• Multi‑room residential/light commercial: R32 multi‑split or compact R454B where offered.

• Roofpack replacements and small commercial plants: R454B rooftops/VRF or R32 VRF depending on spec and approvals.

6) Real‑world selection playbook

A) One bedroom + garden office (London terrace)

• Aim: quiet, efficient, minimal visual impact.

• Pick: Premium wall‑mount split (R290 or R32) with ≤21 dB(A) night mode; consider multi‑split if both rooms run often.

• Watch: Drain routing, nighttime outdoor sound, and remote/smart controls that actually remember schedules.

B) Two‑storey semi‑detached — living room + two bedrooms

• Aim: flexible heating in spring/autumn, low bills.

• Pick: Multi‑split on R32 (3 indoor units) or two high‑efficiency R290 singles if charge limits/room sizes are fine.

• Watch: Pipe lengths and elevation; avoid oversizing that causes short cycling.

C) Small retail/café

• Aim: stable comfort, quiet outdoor, fast service.

• Pick: Rooftop/packaged on R454B or a compact VRF (R32/R454B) with zoning.

• Watch: Delivery/craning windows, curb compatibility, and control integration with doors/air curtains.

D) Whole‑home heating retrofit (radiators)

• Aim: replace/assist boiler, maintain comfort.

• Pick: A2W on R290 with flow temps sized for real heat loss; upgrade emitters as needed. Target weather‑comp curves and quiet outdoor placement.

• Watch: Cylinder space, electrical capacity, and acoustic planning.

E) Heritage facade / no visible outdoor units

• Aim: compliance + comfort.

• Pick: Indoor hybrid on R290 (no outdoor unit) or concealed VRF with remote condensers in approved locations.

• Watch: Condensate management, ventilation, and service access.

7) Specs that matter (and the ones that don’t)

Matters

• Seasonal ratings (SEER/SCOP), not just one‑point COP.

• Sound at the speeds you’ll actually use (night/quiet modes); look for ≤21 dB(A) for bedrooms.

• Serviceability: filter access, drain pan shape, coil cleaning clearance, board access.

• Controls that stick: reliable schedules, presence/eco modes that don’t fight you, and decent apps.

Doesn’t matter as much

• “Peak” capacity at lab conditions that you’ll never see.

• Unverified “AI” labels without practical benefits (occupancy detection and auto airflow are useful; buzzwords aren’t).

8) Installation & safety — simple but strict

• Respect charge limits: Especially for R290, check room volume and installation height rules. Never “just top up” without weighing and following the service manual.

• Airflow is safety: Avoid dead zones where a leak could pool; route drains cleanly; keep service space around units.

• Commissioning: Pressure tests, vacuum, weighed charge, electrical checks, then document everything. The first 30 minutes of runtime tell you more than the brochure.

9) Ownership economics in 2025

• Energy: In shoulder seasons, inverter heat pumps deliver high COP—steady target temps beat on/off swings.

• Maintenance: A clean coil is a quiet, efficient coil. Filters monthly in autumn/winter; professional service annually.

• Lifecycle: Low‑GWP refrigerants and mainstream platforms protect resale and parts availability.

10) If you already own R410A

• Keep it going if it’s healthy: service and clean it properly.

• Plan ahead: When noise, reliability, or efficiency become issues, migrate to R32/R454B (multi‑room/VRF/packaged) or R290 (single‑room splits or A2W) as your building allows.

11) Quick myth‑busting

• “Bigger unit = better.” False. Oversizing raises noise and slashes efficiency.

• “Off every night saves most.” Not always. A small setback overnight often costs less than reheating from cold.

• “All ‘AI’ is marketing.” Some is, some isn’t. Occupancy‑aware airflow and auto‑tuning can save real energy in variable‑use spaces.

12) Glossary (two‑minute read)

• GWP — Global Warming Potential; lower is better for climate impact.

• A1/A2L/A3 — Flammability classes; A3 (R290) is highly flammable; A2L (R32/R454B) is lower‑flammability.

• SEER/SCOP — Seasonal efficiency ratings for cooling/heating.

• VRF/VRV — Multi‑zone systems with variable refrigerant flow.

• A2W — Air‑to‑water heat pump (for space heating/hot water).

13) The bottom line

2025 isn’t a minor refresh—it’s a pivot. Regulations accelerated the move to low‑GWP refrigerants, and manufacturers responded with practical engineering: quieter fans, smarter control, better seasonal efficiency, and tighter safety design. Choose the refrigerant and platform that fit your rooms, your building rules, and your tolerance for noise and service access. If you keep those grounded criteria in mind, the brand choice becomes straightforward.