R-449A
R-449A (Chemours Opteon XP40) is the main lower-GWP replacement for R-404A in US commercial refrigeration. Its GWP of 1,397 sits under the 1,400 interim limit EPA set in May 2026 (91 FR 31284), which keeps it legal for new supermarket systems and remote condensing units through the end of 2031[2].
EPA wrote the 1,400 interim limit around blends like R-449A; the rule preamble names it directly[2]. The 2032 limits will end that window for new installs. Existing R-449A systems stay legal to run and service.
R-449A quick facts
| Type | HFC/HFO blend: 24.3% R-32, 24.7% R-125, 25.3% R-1234yf, 25.7% R-134a |
| Trade name | Chemours Opteon XP40 |
| ASHRAE safety class | A1 (no flame propagation) |
| GWP (AIM Act exchange values) | 1,397 (computed per 40 CFR 84.64) |
| Temperature glide | About 6 °F. Bubble for charging, dew for superheat |
| Lubricant | POE |
| Common use | R-404A retrofits and new commercial refrigeration under the interim limits |
Regulatory status
| Running and servicing existing equipment | Allowed[2] |
| Buying bulk cylinders | Section 608-certified buyers only[3] |
| New supermarket systems and remote condensing units | Allowed under the 1,400 interim limit through Dec 31, 2031[2] |
| New cold storage warehouses | Not allowed since Jul 27, 2026 (interim limit there is GWP 700)[2] |
| Retrofitting existing R-404A systems | Allowed, following the equipment manufacturer's retrofit guidance[4] |
Rules
Federal
The May 2026 reconsideration set interim GWP limits and moved the strict 150/300 limits to January 1, 2032 (91 FR 31284)[2]. R-449A passes the 1,400 interim limit for retail food subsectors and fails the 700 limit for cold storage. Each row below is the current rule for new installs in that subsector.
| Subsector | Limit | Date | R-449A outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarket systems | GWP 1,400 interim | Jan 1, 2027[2] | R-449A qualifies until GWP 150/300 on Jan 1, 2032 |
| Remote condensing units (retail food) | GWP 1,400 interim | Jul 27, 2026[2] | R-449A qualifies until GWP 150/300 on Jan 1, 2032 |
| Cold storage warehouses | GWP 700 interim | Jul 27, 2026[2] | R-449A over the limit, not allowed for new systems |
| Industrial process refrigeration (non-chiller) | GWP 150/300 | Jan 1, 2026[4] | R-449A over the limit, unchanged by the 2026 rule |
Five consolidated petitions challenge the May 2026 rule in the D.C. Circuit, filed by industry and environmental groups (lead case HARDI v. EPA, No. 26-1168)[2]. The interim limits that keep this refrigerant legal are part of what is being litigated. The dates above are current law while the litigation runs.
State
State rules can be stricter than the federal interim limits. Each row below is checked against the state's own regulation text:
| State | Rule | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | Retail food refrigeration over 50 lb charge (new): GWP over 150 prohibited, which covers R-449A | Jan 1, 2025 |
Washington prohibits refrigerants over GWP 150 in new retail food systems above 50 lb charge (WAC 173-443), so R-449A is not an option there even while federal interim limits allow it elsewhere[5]. Vermont (10 V.S.A. § 586), Maryland, and Rhode Island restrict listed high-GWP substances in the same subsectors. R-449A is not on those legacy lists. California's SB 1206 bulk sales thresholds reach GWP 750 in 2033, which would cover R-449A[6]. Verify with your local authority having jurisdiction before an install decision.
Buying R-449A
Bulk R-449A can only be sold to Section 608-certified technicians and a short list of related buyers under 40 CFR 82.154[3]. The blend is an HFC/HFO mix and carries the same purchase restriction as the HFCs it replaces.
Replacements
R-449A and R-448A are close siblings, and most equipment approved for one lists the other. For new equipment planned past 2031, the 2032 limits point to CO2, R-290, and A2L blends such as R-454C and R-455A[2]. See the R-448A page for the comparison.
R-449A PT chart
Saturation pressures for R-449A from -40 °F upward, computed from reference equations of state[7]. R-449A is a zeotropic blend with about 6 °F of glide, so the liquid and vapor columns differ. Use bubble pressure for charging and subcooling, dew pressure for superheat.
| Temp (°F) | Liquid / bubble (psig) | Vapor / dew (psig) |
|---|---|---|
| -40 | 4.7 | -0.1 |
| -35 | 7.3 | 2.0 |
| -30 | 10.1 | 4.3 |
| -25 | 13.2 | 6.8 |
| -20 | 16.6 | 9.7 |
| -15 | 20.4 | 12.8 |
| -10 | 24.4 | 16.2 |
| -5 | 28.9 | 19.9 |
| 0 | 33.6 | 24.0 |
| 5 | 38.8 | 28.4 |
| 10 | 44.4 | 33.2 |
| 15 | 50.5 | 38.4 |
| 20 | 56.9 | 44.0 |
| 25 | 63.9 | 50.1 |
| 30 | 71.4 | 56.7 |
| 35 | 79.3 | 63.7 |
| 40 | 87.9 | 71.2 |
| 45 | 96.9 | 79.3 |
| 50 | 106.6 | 88.0 |
| 55 | 116.9 | 97.2 |
| 60 | 127.8 | 107.1 |
| 65 | 139.4 | 117.6 |
| 70 | 151.6 | 128.8 |
| 75 | 164.6 | 140.6 |
| 80 | 178.2 | 153.2 |
| 85 | 192.7 | 166.6 |
| 90 | 207.9 | 180.8 |
| 95 | 223.9 | 195.8 |
| 100 | 240.7 | 211.6 |
| 105 | 258.4 | 228.4 |
| 110 | 277.0 | 246.0 |
| 115 | 296.5 | 264.7 |
| 120 | 317.0 | 284.4 |
| 125 | 338.4 | 305.1 |
| 130 | 360.8 | 327.0 |
| 135 | 384.2 | 350.0 |
| 140 | 408.7 | 374.3 |
| 145 | 434.2 | 399.8 |
Use the vapor (dew) column to check superheat at the suction line. Use the liquid (bubble) column to check subcooling at the liquid line and for charging. R-449A glide is about 6 °F. Charging and subcooling use the bubble column, and superheat uses the dew column. R-449A values are computed, not transcribed; see Sources.
Equipment rated for R-449A
Walk-in unit cooler models whose maker publishes R-449A ratings. Each page shows the full specifications with the page each value comes from.
1,087 models in the database carry R-449A ratings. A sample:
Questions
- Is R-449A legal for new installs?
In most states, yes for supermarket systems and remote condensing units through December 31, 2031, under the 1,400 interim GWP limit (91 FR 31284). Cold storage is the exception. Its interim limit is 700 and R-449A is over it. The 150/300 limits end the window on January 1, 2032.
- Can R-449A replace R-404A in an existing system?
Yes. That retrofit is its main use. Expect a POE oil check, a TXV or setting change, and a reduced charge. Trenton documents specify a 0.96 charge factor for R-449A relative to the printed R-404A charge. Follow the equipment manufacturer's retrofit bulletin.
- What is the difference between R-448A and R-449A?
They are competing five- and four-component blends with near-identical GWP, capacity, and glide. R-448A is Honeywell Solstice N40 and R-449A is Chemours Opteon XP40. Equipment approvals usually list both. Match whichever your supplier stocks and the manufacturer lists.
- Do I need a certification to buy R-449A?
Yes. Bulk cylinders are restricted to Section 608-certified technicians and related buyers under 40 CFR 82.154, the same restriction that covers other HFC blends.
References
- ^1.40 CFR part 84, Appendix A: GWP exchange values (eCFR)
- ^2.91 FR 31284 (May 26, 2026): Technology Transitions reconsideration final rule
- ^3.40 CFR 82.154: refrigerant sales restriction and venting exemptions (eCFR)
- ^4.88 FR 73098 (Oct 24, 2023): Technology Transitions final rule
- ^5.Chapter 173-443 WAC: Washington HFC regulation
- ^6.CARB HFC reduction program (SB 1206 overview) (accessed 2026-08-24)
- ^7.CoolProp 8.0 mixture models (Bell et al. 2014, doi:10.1021/ie4033999)
- ^8.40 CFR 84.7: HFC phasedown schedule (eCFR)
Updated