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Daikin helped accelerate the adoption of R-32 in air conditioners by introducing equipment using the refrigerant in Japan in 2012 and promoting its use through technical assistance and commercialization. It did not create the international rules behind the wider refrigerant transition: governments negotiated those, including the Kigali Amendment’s phase-down of climate-warming HFCs.
Why air conditioners moved from R-22 to R-410A, then toward R-32
The refrigerant transition has involved two different environmental concerns. The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, established international controls on ozone-depleting substances. In air conditioning, that helped drive a move away from HCFCs such as R-22 toward HFCs. HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, but some have substantial global-warming potential (GWP).
R-410A became a widely used HFC refrigerant, but its climate impact remained a concern. Daikin’s comparison, based on 100-year GWP values from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, gives R-410A a GWP of 2,090 and R-32 a GWP of 675. Both have zero ozone-depletion potential, according to Daikin. These figures use a particular assessment vintage; values from other assessment reports may differ. Daikin’s technical explanation of R-32
| Refrigerant | Role in the transition | 100-year GWP cited by Daikin | Ozone-depletion potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-22 (HCFC) | Older refrigerant phased down under ozone-protection controls | Not stated in the cited comparison | Ozone-depleting |
| R-410A (HFC blend) | Widely used after the move away from ozone-depleting refrigerants | 2,090 | Zero |
| R-32 (HFC) | Lower-GWP option promoted for air conditioners and heat pumps | 675 | Zero |
The GWP figures are Daikin’s presentation of values from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, not a like-for-like performance rating of air-conditioning systems. GWP compares the climate effect of a quantity of refrigerant; it does not by itself measure a unit’s energy use, leakage, or total lifecycle impact.
#1 Best Overall
- Exceptional Efficiency: Provides 12,000 BTUs of cooling power (Min 4,400 BTU - Max 13,300 BTU) and 11,300 BTUs of heating capacity (Min 4,400 BTU - Max 16,400 BTU). Achieves a high 18 SEER2 energy efficiency rating, 9 HSPF2, 8.5 EER2, and 3.30 COP, ensuring efficient year-round climate control, all thanks to DC Inverter technology. Covers an area of up to 550 sq. ft.
- All-Season Comfort: Operating effectively within a broad temperature range, it provides efficient cooling from 50°F to 115°F and reliable heating from 5°F to 65°F, ensuring suitability for diverse climates and surroundings.Ideal solution for renovations, new constructions, sunrooms, basements, attics, garages, and spaces where traditional AC units or duct installations are impractical.
- Enhance Your Lifestyle: Daikin ENTRA wall-mounted units provide a superior lifestyle with high-efficiency cooling and heating, customizable air direction and flow, and advanced features such as Powerful Operation, ECO+ for energy efficiency, Blue Fin Protection, and a Titanium Apatite Photocatalytic Air Purifying Filter, ensuring an elevated indoor environment of comfort and air quality
- What’s Included: Entra 12,000 Btu Wall Mount Indoor Fan Coil, Smart DC Inverter Condenser Pre-charged with R-32Refrigerant, Remote Control, a 15 Ft 1/4 x 3/8 - Maxwell Refrigerant Line with Interconnecting Cables Installation Kit, and the Maxwell Wall Mounting Bracket.
What Daikin did to bring R-32 into air conditioners
It commercialized R-32 equipment early
Daikin says it was the first company to introduce air-conditioning and heat-pump technology using R-32, beginning in Japan in November 2012. The “first” is Daikin’s own claim. The company says its experience with both refrigerants and air-conditioning equipment helped it apply R-32 to these products. Daikin’s account of R-32; Daikin’s R-32 technology overview
Early products gave the market a commercial example of using R-32 in air conditioners, rather than leaving the refrigerant as a theoretical alternative. Daikin says R-32 can enable a smaller refrigerant charge or higher energy efficiency, but those potential benefits depend on equipment design and application; they are not guarantees for every system.
Rank #2
- Exceptional Efficiency: Provides 18,100 BTUs of cooling power (Min 6,900 BTU - Max 20,000 BTU) and 18,000 BTUs of heating capacity (Min 5,800 BTU - Max 22,500 BTU). Achieves a high 18 SEER2 energy efficiency rating, 9 HSPF2, 10.5 EER2, and 3.30 COP, ensuring efficient year-round climate control, all thanks to DC Inverter technology. Covers an area of up to 1,000 sq. ft.
- All-Season Comfort: Operating effectively within a broad temperature range, it provides efficient cooling from 50°F to 115°F and reliable heating from 5°F to 65°F, ensuring suitability for diverse climates and surroundings. Ideal solution for renovations, new constructions, sunrooms, basements, attics, garages, and spaces where traditional AC units or duct installations are impractical.
- Enhance Your Lifestyle: Daikin ENTRA wall-mounted units provide a superior lifestyle with high-efficiency cooling and heating, customizable air direction and flow, and advanced features such as Powerful Operation, ECO+ for energy efficiency, Blue Fin Protection, and a Titanium Apatite Photocatalytic Air Purifying Filter, ensuring an elevated indoor environment of comfort and air quality
- What’s Included: Entra 18,000 Btu Wall Mount Indoor Fan Coil, Smart DC Inverter Condenser Pre-charged with R-32 Refrigerant, Remote Control, a 15 Ft 1/4 x 1/2 - Maxwell Refrigerant Line with Interconnecting Cables Installation Kit, and the Maxwell Wall Mounting Bracket.
It promoted diffusion beyond its own sales
Daikin describes providing technical assistance to governments and international organizations, as well as training and support for local manufacturers in emerging markets. That work could help build the know-how needed to manufacture, install, and service equipment using R-32. It does not establish that every manufacturer, country, or product line adopted the refrigerant.
The practical work matters because changing refrigerants involves more than selecting a lower-GWP chemical. Equipment must be designed for it, and people servicing systems need suitable training, tools, and recovery practices. UNEP’s decision on implementing the Kigali Amendment identifies technician training, safe handling, servicing tools, testing, and refrigerant recovery and recycling as relevant activities. UNEP Ozone Secretariat, Decision XXVIII/2
Rank #3
- Exceptional Efficiency: Provides 9,000 BTUs of cooling power (Min 4,400 BTU - Max 10,200 BTU) and 9,400 BTUs of heating capacity (Min 4,400 BTU - Max 13,000 BTU). Achieves a high 18 SEER2 energy efficiency rating, 9 HSPF2, 11 EER2, and 3.6 COP, ensuring efficient year-round climate control, all thanks to DC Inverter technology. Covers an area of up to 400 sq. ft.
- All-Season Comfort: Operating effectively within a broad temperature range, it provides efficient cooling from 50°F to 115°F and reliable heating from 5°F to 65°F, ensuring suitability for diverse climates and surroundings.Ideal solution for renovations, new constructions, sunrooms, basements, attics, garages, and spaces where traditional AC units or duct installations are impractical.
- Enhance Your Lifestyle: Daikin ENTRA wall-mounted units provide a superior lifestyle with high-efficiency cooling and heating, customizable air direction and flow, and advanced features such as Powerful Operation, ECO+ for energy efficiency, Blue Fin Protection, and a Titanium Apatite Photocataly
- What’s Included: Entra 9,000 BTU Wall Mount Indoor Fan Coil, Smart DC Inverter Condenser Pre-charged with R-32Refrigerant, Remote Control, a 15 Ft 1/4 x 3/8 - Maxwell Refrigerant Line with Interconnecting Cables Installation Kit,1/2 Whip, 30A Disconnect and the Maxwell Wall Mounting Bracket.
How the Kigali Amendment changed the policy context
R-32’s rise was part of a broader industry and regulatory transition, not a change made by Daikin alone. In October 2016, parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the Kigali Amendment, adding controls to phase down HFCs. The amendment entered into force on 1 January 2019. Its treaty text lists HFC-32 with a 100-year GWP of 675. Kigali Amendment text
Daikin says it welcomes the HFC phase-down and identifies several measures in its own approach: converting refrigerants, reducing refrigerant charge, limiting leaks, and recovering and recycling refrigerant. Those corporate measures sit alongside government obligations under the amendment; the company did not negotiate or adopt the treaty. Daikin’s position on refrigerant impacts
Rank #4
- Exceptional Efficiency: Provides 22,400 BTUs of cooling power (Min 6,900 BTU - Max 24,200 BTU) and 23,000 BTUs of heating capacity (Min 5,800 BTU - Max 27,300 BTU). Achieves a high 18 SEER2 energy efficiency rating, 9 HSPF2, 10.5 EER2, and 3.30 COP, ensuring efficient year-round climate control, all thanks to DC Inverter technology. Covers an area of up to 1,500 sq. ft.
- All-Season Comfort: Operating effectively within a broad temperature range, it provides efficient cooling from 50°F to 115°F and reliable heating from 5°F to 65°F, ensuring suitability for diverse climates and surroundings. Ideal solution for renovations, new constructions, sunrooms, basements, attics, garages, and spaces where traditional AC units or duct installations are impractical.
- Enhance Your Lifestyle: Daikin ENTRA wall-mounted units provide a superior lifestyle with high-efficiency cooling and heating, customizable air direction and flow, and advanced features such as Powerful Operation, ECO+ for energy efficiency, Blue Fin Protection, and a Titanium Apatite Photocatalytic Air Purifying Filter, ensuring an elevated indoor environment of comfort and air quality
- What’s Included: Entra 24,000 Btu Wall Mount Indoor Fan Coil, Smart DC Inverter Condenser Pre-charged with R-32 Refrigerant, Remote Control, a 25 Ft 1/4 x 5/8 - Maxwell Refrigerant Line with Interconnecting Cables Installation Kit, and the Maxwell Wall Mounting Bracket.
How widely R-32 is used—and why the transition is not over
Daikin reports that worldwide sales of air conditioners using R-32 exceeded 66 million units as of the end of March 2026. This is a company-reported sales figure, not an independently verified census of all equipment in use. It indicates substantial commercialization, but does not mean R-32 is the only refrigerant used worldwide. Daikin’s current refrigerant overview
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →R-32’s lower GWP than R-410A in the cited comparison helps explain its appeal, but no single refrigerant is automatically best for every air conditioner or heat pump. Equipment type, design, local rules, and product availability affect the choice. Daikin says it continues to explore suitable refrigerants for different equipment types. Daikin’s refrigerant overview
Best Value
- Exceptional Efficiency: Provides 22,400 BTUs of cooling power (Min 6,900 BTU - Max 24,200 BTU) and 23,000 BTUs of heating capacity (Min 5,800 BTU - Max 27,300 BTU). Achieves a high 18 SEER2 energy efficiency rating, 9 HSPF2, 10.5 EER2, and 3.30 COP, ensuring efficient year-round climate control, all thanks to DC Inverter technology. Covers an area of up to 1,500 sq. ft.
- All-Season Comfort: Operating effectively within a broad temperature range, it provides efficient cooling from 50°F to 115°F and reliable heating from 5°F to 65°F, ensuring suitability for diverse climates and surroundings. Ideal solution for renovations, new constructions, sunrooms, basements, attics, garages, and spaces where traditional AC units or duct installations are impractical.
- Enhance Your Lifestyle: Daikin ENTRA wall-mounted units provide a superior lifestyle with high-efficiency cooling and heating, customizable air direction and flow, and advanced features such as Powerful Operation, ECO+ for energy efficiency, Blue Fin Protection, and a Titanium Apatite Photocatalytic Air Purifying Filter, ensuring an elevated indoor environment of comfort and air quality
- What’s Included: Entra 24,000 Btu Wall Mount Indoor Fan Coil, Smart DC Inverter Condenser Pre-charged with R-32 Refrigerant, Remote Control, a 15 Ft 1/4 x 5/8 - Maxwell Refrigerant Line with Interconnecting Cables Installation Kit, Maxwell Wall Mounting Bracket, 30A Disconnect Switch, 1/2" Electric Whip
For owners, refrigerant selection and servicing are not DIY decisions. R-32 has handling requirements, and safe work depends on appropriate equipment and training. For a new system or service visit, use a qualified HVAC professional familiar with the specific unit and local requirements.
Quick Recap
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