Are R407A and R407C the Same?

No. R407A and R407C are related HFC refrigerant blends, but they are not the same refrigerant and should not be treated as interchangeable. Both are made from R32, R125, and R134A, yet the percentages are different. That change in blend ratio affects their pressure-temperature behavior, cooling characteristics, temperature glide, typical applications, and retrofit suitability.

For a technician, facility manager, or buyer, the practical takeaway is simple: verify the equipment nameplate, compressor approval, lubricant, expansion device, and manufacturer service guidance before selecting either product. Similar names do not mean equal performance.

The Short Answer: R407A and R407C Are Different Refrigerants

Are R407A and R407C the same? No. They belong to the same R407 family and use the same three component refrigerants, but they have different compositions and were optimized for different operating conditions.

They Share the Same Three HFC Components

Both blends contain R32, R125, and R134A. The Chemours Freon 407C and 407A technical bulletin publishes the two formulations side by side. That common chemistry explains why the names look similar and why both blends are non-ozone-depleting A1 refrigerants.

The similarity stops there. A refrigerant designation identifies a specific composition, not a loose family recipe. R407A must meet the R407A composition specification, while R407C must meet the R407C composition specification.

Their Blend Ratios Are Not the Same

R407A is nominally 20% R32, 40% R125, and 40% R134A by mass. R407C is nominally 23% R32, 25% R125, and 52% R134A. Chemours confirms these ratios, and the Honeywell R407C technical page lists the same 23/25/52 ratio for R407C.

That difference is large enough to change system behavior. You should never top off an R407A system with R407C or the reverse. Mixing them creates an unknown blend with pressure-temperature properties that no manufacturer chart is designed to interpret.

Composition Is the First Major Difference

When people ask Are R407A and R407C the same?, the composition is the clearest technical reason the answer is no. The components are identical, but the proportions are not.

R407A Uses More R125 and Less R134A

R407A contains 40% R125 and 40% R134A, with 20% R32. This formulation gives it characteristics that have made it useful in selected medium- and low-temperature refrigeration applications and in certain approved retrofits.

Arkema describes R407A as a zeotropic HFC blend that can be used in multiple air-conditioning and refrigeration applications where the equipment and retrofit procedure support it.

R407C Uses More R134A and Less R125

R407C contains 52% R134A, 25% R125, and 23% R32. Honeywell describes R407C as a strong performance match to R22 in air conditioning and heat pumps, with reasonable performance in medium-temperature refrigeration.

That higher R134A fraction and lower R125 fraction contribute to the different pressure, capacity, and discharge characteristics that technicians see in service.

Their Typical Applications Are Different

Application is where the difference becomes especially important. Both refrigerants can appear in retrofit conversations, but their most common roles are not identical.

R407C Is Strongly Associated With R22 Air-Conditioning Retrofits

R407C has long been used as an R22 alternative in positive-displacement air-conditioning equipment. Chemours describes R407C as an HFC alternative for R22 in commercial and light-commercial air conditioning, including direct-expansion chillers, and Honeywell calls it a strong retrofit option for R22 air conditioning and heat pumps.

Royal Refrigerants maintains an R407C collection for technicians and contractors sourcing refrigerant for systems designed or approved for it.

R407A Is More Closely Associated With Refrigeration Applications

R407A is often discussed in medium- and low-temperature commercial refrigeration, including selected supermarket, food-storage, and retrofit applications. It can also appear in some R22 retrofit guidance, but it should not automatically be selected just because a system originally used R22.

Temperature Glide Changes How Technicians Diagnose the System

Both products are zeotropic blends, which means they exhibit temperature glide. Technicians should use the correct dew and bubble values rather than treating either refrigerant like a single-component fluid.

R407A and R407C Both Require Dew and Bubble Awareness

During evaporation and condensation, the saturation temperature of a zeotropic blend changes. In general, dew-point data is used when evaluating superheat, while bubble-point data is used when evaluating subcooling.

The exact glide differs between the two refrigerants because the blend ratios are different. A digital manifold can simplify these calculations, but only if the correct refrigerant is selected.

Pressure Charts Are Not Interchangeable

An R407A pressure-temperature chart should never be used to diagnose R407C, and an R407C chart should never be used for R407A. Even when pressure readings appear close at some conditions, the relationship changes across the operating range.

Using the wrong chart can lead to false conclusions about superheat, subcooling, charge level, and system performance.

Charging and Leak Service Require Blend-Specific Procedures

The fact that both refrigerants are blends also affects how they should be charged and how technicians respond after a significant leak.

Charge the Correct Blend as Liquid

Zeotropic blends are typically charged from the cylinder as liquid so the intended component ratio is preserved. Vapor withdrawal can preferentially remove the more volatile components and shift the remaining cylinder composition.

Technicians should follow the refrigerant manufacturer’s latest procedure and meter liquid safely when charging through the suction side to avoid liquid slugging.

Never Mix R407A and R407C

Mixing different refrigerants can create unpredictable performance, compromise recovery equipment, and make future reclamation more difficult. Recover the existing refrigerant into a properly labeled recovery cylinder before converting a system to another approved refrigerant.

A conversion should also be documented on the equipment so future technicians know exactly what is in the circuit.

Retrofit Suitability Depends on the Original System

The correct retrofit choice depends on what the equipment was originally designed to use and what the manufacturer supports. Similar refrigerant names are not enough to justify a conversion.

R407C Is Often the More Familiar R22 Air-Conditioning Option

For older R22 comfort-cooling systems, R407C appears frequently in manufacturer retrofit guidance because its performance can be relatively close to R22. Honeywell specifically recommends R407C as an R22 retrofit option in residential air conditioning where the system and procedure support it.

A proper conversion still requires complete R22 recovery, leak repair, lubricant review, filter-drier replacement where required, evacuation, charging by weight, and final commissioning.

R407A Can Fit Selected R22 and Commercial Refrigeration Retrofits

R407A can be appropriate in certain approved R22 refrigeration and air-conditioning applications, but it is more commonly positioned in commercial refrigeration discussions than R407C. Compressor maps, valve behavior, discharge temperature, and capacity should be checked for the exact application.

For commercial refrigeration systems, the decision may also involve alternatives such as R448A or R449A depending on equipment approval and current regulatory limits.

R407A and R407C Also Have Different GWP Values

Environmental impact is another measurable difference between the two products. The values depend on the GWP reference framework, so comparisons should use one consistent source.

R407A Has the Higher GWP of the Two

EPA’s AR4-based refrigerant references list R407A at approximately 2,107 and R407C at approximately 1,774. EPA’s later AR5 equivalency data gives lower values for both, but R407A still remains higher than R407C within that framework.

This means R407C has the lower GWP of the two, but neither is considered a low-GWP next-generation refrigerant by current standards.

New-Equipment Rules Can Matter More Than the Comparison

Current EPA Technology Transitions rules set a GWP limit of 700 for many new residential and light-commercial air-conditioning and heat-pump systems. Because both R407A and R407C exceed that threshold, neither should be assumed to be appropriate for new equipment subject to that limit.

Existing-system service and retrofit decisions are separate from new-equipment restrictions, so always check the end use, installation date, and applicable rule before specifying a refrigerant.

Service Practices That Prevent Expensive Mistakes

A few verification steps can prevent most R407A-versus-R407C errors in the field.

Read the Nameplate and Service History First

Start with the equipment label and service documentation. If the system has been retrofitted, look for a conversion label identifying the replacement refrigerant, lubricant, charge amount, and date of conversion.

Do not rely on cylinder color, hose color, or what another technician remembers about the system.

Confirm Oil, Compressor, and Expansion Device Compatibility

Both R407A and R407C commonly use POE lubricants in many applications, but the required viscosity and compressor approval are equipment-specific. Expansion devices may also require adjustment because mass flow and pressure relationships differ.

Manufacturer instructions should take priority over generic internet pressure comparisons.

How to Choose Between R407A and R407C

The correct product is the one the equipment and retrofit plan actually call for. The question should be framed around the system, not around which refrigerant sounds more familiar.

Choose R407C When the Approved Application Calls for R407C

R407C is commonly selected for approved R22 air-conditioning and heat-pump retrofits, medium-temperature refrigeration, and equipment originally designed for R407C. When that is the specified refrigerant, use R407C and its own pressure-temperature data.

Choose R407A When the Approved Application Calls for R407A

R407A is commonly used in selected refrigeration systems and approved retrofit projects. Royal’s R407A product page provides a commercial source for buyers whose equipment documentation calls for R407A.

Do not substitute R407C for R407A or vice versa based only on availability or price.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following answers cover the questions technicians and buyers most often ask about these two refrigerants.

Are R407A and R407C Interchangeable?

No. They have different blend ratios and different operating characteristics. Use only the refrigerant specified or approved for the equipment.

What Is R407A Made Of?

R407A is nominally 20% R32, 40% R125, and 40% R134A by mass.

What Is R407C Made Of?

R407C is nominally 23% R32, 25% R125, and 52% R134A by mass.

Which Has Lower GWP, R407A or R407C?

R407C has the lower GWP. Under EPA’s AR4-based values, R407C is about 1,774 and R407A about 2,107.

Which Is Better for R22 Air Conditioning?

R407C is more commonly positioned as an R22 air-conditioning retrofit refrigerant, but every conversion still requires equipment-specific approval and proper retrofit procedures.

Can I Mix R407A and R407C?

No. Mixing them creates an undefined refrigerant mixture and can cause performance, service, and recovery problems.

Conclusion: Match the Refrigerant to the Equipment

R407A and R407C are related, but they are not the same product. Their different component ratios lead to different pressure-temperature behavior, application strengths, GWP values, and retrofit considerations. The safest approach is to identify the system, verify the approved refrigerant, and use the correct manufacturer data.

If you have a system that calls for R407A or R407C and need help confirming current stock, cylinder options, or ordering requirements, contact Royal Refrigerants with the equipment type and refrigerant specified on the service documentation.