---
title: "R513A, R1234yf or R290: Which Refrigerant Is Right for Your Cooling System Application?"
description: Electrical equipment generates heat during its activities, and this heat needs to be removed. We recommend that you arrange a health check of your cooling.
image: https://blog.rittal.co.uk/hubfs/fri221834700%20(1).jpg
---

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# Blog

![R513A, R1234yf or R290: Which Refrigerant Is Right for Your Cooling System Application?](https://blog.rittal.co.uk/hubfs/fri221834700%20(1).jpg)

## R513A, R1234yf or R290: Which Refrigerant Is Right for Your Cooling System Application?

 02-11-2026

Refrigerants used within enclosure cooling systems are changing across the EU.

Some, such as R134A, are being removed altogether from new equipment as part of a concerted effort across the trading bloc to limit the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the environment.

In its place, panel builders and system integrators are seeing refrigerants such as R513A, R1234yf and R290 in cooling-unit specifications.

## **Why is R134A being replaced in new enclosure cooling units?**

Regulation (EU) 2024/573, which came into force on 11 March 2024, marks a significant tightening of the rules governing the availability and use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) in Europe.

The legislation restricts high-impact synthetic refrigerants such as R134A by linking future active cooling equipment compliance to its refrigerant's Global Warming Potential (GWP). The GWP of R134a is very high, at 1,430 over a 100-year time scale. This basically that means releasing one kilogram of R134a into the air causes the same amount of warming as 1,430 kilograms of CO2.

The EU regulations have kick-started an accelerated phase-out of available F-gases, with the aim of reaching zero F-gases across the EU by 2050.

The regulations set different GWP limits and implementation dates according to the cooling equipment concerned. Existing installations can generally remain in service, although servicing and leak-check requirements may apply depending on the refrigerant and charge.

So, when it comes to choosing units built around different refrigerants, what should specifiers bear in mind?

## R513A vs R1234yf vs R290

As we’ve already indicated, the three fastest-growing refrigerant options in the UK are currently R513A, R1234yf and R290, and each has its own characteristics.

### Refrigerants at a Glance

| Consideration | R1234yf | R290 (Propane) | R513A |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Safety classification** | A2L | A3 | A1 |
| **Flammability** | Mildly flammable | Highly flammable | Non-flammable |
| **GWP** | \<1 | ~3 | ~631 |
| **EN378 requirements** | Moderate constraints | Strict constraints | Lower constraints |
| **DSEAR / ignition risk** | Low to moderate | Significant in some environments | Low |
| **Impact** | Generally manageable | May require more extensive redesign and safety measures | Minimal redesign required |
| **Risk perception** | Moderate | High | Low |
| **Scalability across multiple panels** | Good | More limited | Good |
| **Future regulatory position** | Strong long-term option | Strong long-term option where suitable | Increasing restrictions for certain new equipment categories |
| **Typical application** | New installations and retrofit projects seeking low GWP | New systems where very low GWP is a priority and site conditions allow | Existing systems and applications where non-flammability is important |

### **What is refrigerant R513A?**

R513A remains the most widely installed refrigerant in existing UK control cabinets. It is safe, stable and non-flammable, with low toxicity (safety class A1), which makes it easy to handle.

R513A’s retrofit compatibility means it can replace older, high-GWP gases like R134a in existing cooling systems with few (or no) modifications.

However, its GWP of around 631 is only a moderate reduction and is considerably higher than that of newer HFOs or natural gases.

It is not fully banned in 2027, but the new F-Gas rules will restrict its use in smaller new units under 12 kW (the GWP limit will be set at 150).

R513A will still be fully compliant and legal to use in larger units over 12 kW in 2027 because the limit for larger equipment will be a GWP of more than 750.

How it is used outside the EU will depend entirely on the country and the exact type of equipment, so panel builders and systems integrators should check local regulations after that date.

Existing units with R513A can still be serviced and re-gassed once the ban takes effect.

### **What is refrigerant R290 (Propane)?**

R290 is a natural refrigerant that delivers a strong cooling performance, along with great energy efficiency and low climate impact (GWP approximately 3).

Unfortunately, its flammability rating is high (safety class A3), so it can only be used in sealed systems with small charge sizes and spark-free components, sited in areas with proper ventilation.

### **What is refrigerant R1234yf?**

R1234yf offers very low climate impact, with a GWP of less than one, and only mild flammability (safety class A2L). Its thermodynamic properties are very similar to R134A, and its cooling performance also very good although it’s slightly less efficient (it has an average reduction in cooling capacity of about 5% to 8% below R134A).

This combination makes it a strong option for future-proofing cooling systems. It has been the standard refrigerant in almost all car air conditioning systems since 2017.

## **Which Refrigerant Performs Best in Industrial Cooling Applications?**

There is no single refrigerant that is best for every industrial cooling application.

Your choice will depend on a range of factors, including:

- local environment
- energy efficiency/sustainability objectives
- safety requirements
- whether the project involves a new installation or the replacement of existing equipment.

### **Which coolants support retrofit industrial cooling projects?**

R1234yf is a good option, given that its thermodynamic properties (including operating pressures) are similar to R134a. This helps minimise system changes while maintaining performance levels/output.

R290 (propane) also has a very low GWP rating, but if you go down this route, then bear in mind that your system may require more extensive redesigns with additional safety measures because of its higher flammability classification.

### **Which coolant is better for new industrial cooling installations?**

You have much more flexibility with new installations because you system can be designed around the chosen refrigerant.

Both R1234yf and R290 are good options to deliver future low-GWP requirements. Assuming, of course, that the environment is suitable for R290 cooling units.

### **Which coolants are best for meeting sustainability targets?**

Both R1234yf and R290 are far better choices, in terms of their individual climate impacts, than R513A. Either could be considered as suitable options if you are seeking to reduce the environmental impact of your cooling systems, provided the environment is suitable to R290 cooling units.

### **Which coolants are best for risk-sensitive sites?**

As we’ve indicated, R1234yf is classified as A2L (mildly flammable), while R290 is classified as A3 (highly flammable).

If you are specifying a cooling unit for an applications where there is a flammability risk, this may favour refrigerants with a lower flammability rating.

### **Other factors to bear in mind**

Checking a unit's refrigerant against its GWP is only one key factor.

Each refrigerant also has its own pressure characteristics and heat-transfer behaviour, which influence cooling-unit design. A unit may need to be redesigned to account for flammability or refrigerant charge limits, for example.

## **Rittal's cooling systems refrigerants**

Rittal was ahead of the game in terms of the refrigerants used in its enclosure cooling systems, all of which comply with, or exceed, the requirements of the regulations: R-410A, R-513A and R-1234yf.

Its award-winning Blue e+ cooling systems already use refrigerants that comply with the legislation.

In 2027, all new Blue e+ cooling units will convert to the climate-friendly R-1234yf, aligning Blue e+ installations with long-term regulatory requirements.

---

## FAQs

 Is R513A being banned from cooling systems?

Yes, for new installations. The EU bans R513A in new cooling units from January 2027 under Regulation (EU) 2024/573, unless an exemption applies. Existing units can still be serviced and re-gassed after that date. Outside the EU, local rules may differ, so check before specifying.

 Which refrigerant offers the best long-term compliance for control cabinet cooling?

R1234yf, with a GWP less than 1 and only mild flammability (A2L), gives the strongest long-term position under tightening F-gas rules.

R290 offers near-zero GWP too, but its A3 flammability rating limits where and how it can be used.

 

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