Dawood Cooling Systems · Dubai · HVAC Wholesale
Top Refrigerants Used in
HVAC Industry — Complete Guide
From R22’s ageing installed base to the R32 transition now underway — a practical guide to every major refrigerant gas used across Dubai’s residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC sector in 2026.
Dubai’s HVAC market runs on a wider range of refrigerant gases than most people realise. Walk into any building in Deira, Downtown, or JBR and the AC systems inside may be running on R22, R410A, R32, R134a, R404A, or R407C — depending on the age of the installation, the application type, and when the last replacement was done. For HVAC technicians, maintenance contractors, and equipment suppliers in the UAE, understanding which refrigerant goes with which system — and what the regulatory trajectory looks like for each — is fundamental practical knowledge.
Dawood Cooling Systems stocks the full range of refrigerant gases used in Dubai’s HVAC and refrigeration sector, available from our Deira warehouse. This guide covers each major refrigerant in detail: what it is, where it is used, what equipment and oil it requires, and what its status is under UAE and international environmental regulations.
💡 Refrigerant selection is not interchangeable. Each refrigerant operates at different pressures, requires a specific oil type, and is compatible only with compressors and systems designed for it. Using the wrong refrigerant — or the wrong oil — in a system causes rapid equipment failure. This guide covers the correct application for each gas type. If you are unsure which refrigerant your system uses, read the outdoor unit nameplate before purchasing any gas. WhatsApp us at +971 56 544 2853 if you need guidance.
Quick Reference — Refrigerants at a Glance
Dubai’s HVAC sector uses six major refrigerant types across different applications. Here is where each one sits:
R22 — The Refrigerant That Built Dubai’s AC Infrastructure
R22 (HCFC-22, difluorochloromethane) was the global standard refrigerant for air conditioning from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Dubai’s rapid construction era of the 1990s and early 2000s meant that enormous numbers of R22 AC systems were installed across the city — in residential towers, hotels, commercial buildings, and government facilities. A very large proportion of these systems remain in active service in 2026.
Where R22 is still used
Older split AC systems and window units across Dubai’s residential buildings, commercial spaces in older districts like Deira and Bur Dubai, hotels built before 2010, and government buildings. Any system installed before approximately 2008–2010 is very likely running on R22. Read the outdoor unit nameplate to confirm before purchasing gas.
Operating characteristics
R22 operates at lower pressures than R410A — typically 180–240 PSI high-side in Dubai’s ambient conditions. It requires mineral oil or alkylbenzene (AB) oil — never POE oil. R22 is a single-component refrigerant that charges as vapour from an upright cylinder with no fractionation risk.
Regulatory status
R22 is an HCFC refrigerant that depletes the ozone layer. Its production and import are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. In the UAE, R22 remains available for servicing existing equipment — but it cannot be used in new systems. Pricing has trended upward as global supply tightens. Stock R22 when pricing is favourable.
💡 R22 prices have risen significantly over the past three years as global production declines under the Montreal Protocol. Contractors and maintenance companies with significant R22 service commitments should consider buying in larger quantities when pricing is at a favourable level. Dawood stocks R22 in multiple cylinder sizes — WhatsApp us for current pricing.
R410A — Dubai’s Dominant AC Refrigerant for the Past 15 Years
R410A replaced R22 as the standard residential and commercial AC refrigerant in the UAE from approximately 2008 onwards. The vast majority of split AC systems, ducted systems, and VRF equipment installed in Dubai between 2008 and 2022 runs on R410A. It is the single most common refrigerant in Dubai’s active AC installed base today.
Where R410A is used
Residential split AC units (1T to 3T), commercial ducted systems, VRF/VRV multi-split systems, packaged roof-top units, and precision cooling equipment. Any AC unit installed in Dubai between roughly 2008 and 2020 is almost certainly R410A — but always verify from the nameplate.
Operating characteristics
R410A operates at significantly higher pressures than R22 — typically 350–450 PSI high-side in Dubai’s summer ambient. It is a blended refrigerant (R32/R125 mixture) and must be charged as liquid from an inverted cylinder to avoid fractionation. R410A requires POE oil — never mineral oil. High-pressure gauges rated for R410A are essential.
Regulatory status
R410A has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) but a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2,088 — significantly higher than R32. Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, HFC refrigerants including R410A face a phase-down schedule. New AC equipment is shifting to R32 and lower-GWP alternatives. R410A service supply remains fully available in the UAE.
R32 — The Current Standard for New AC in the UAE
R32 (difluoromethane) is the refrigerant now used in virtually all new residential split AC equipment sold in the UAE. Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG, Gree, and other major brands completing their transition to R32 means that any new split AC unit purchased in Dubai from 2020 onwards is almost certainly R32. R32 has a GWP of 675 — approximately one-third of R410A — making it the current industry answer to reducing HVAC’s climate impact while maintaining the performance levels required in Dubai’s extreme ambient conditions.
Where R32 is used
New residential split AC units from all major brands in the UAE. Also appearing in newer commercial equipment. Any split AC unit purchased new in Dubai from approximately 2020 onwards should be assumed to be R32 unless the nameplate states otherwise. R32 is a single-component refrigerant that simplifies recycling and reclamation compared to blended refrigerants.
Operating characteristics
R32 operates at higher pressures and higher discharge temperatures than R410A — compressors and systems designed for R32 account for this. R32 is classified A2L (mildly flammable) — it requires a minimum air velocity and ignition source separation that R32-certified systems are designed to provide. Always use R32-rated tools and gauges. POE oil is required.
Important safety note
R32’s mild flammability (A2L) means it should never be mixed with air for pressure testing — use nitrogen only. Do not use open flame leak detection. R32-certified equipment is designed to handle these properties safely — field service practice should follow the same principles. Dawood stocks R32 in standard cylinder sizes for UAE service work.
R134a — Automotive AC, Chillers, and Medium-Temperature Refrigeration
R134a (tetrafluoroethane) is the dominant refrigerant for automotive air conditioning across the UAE’s large vehicle fleet. It is also used in medium-temperature commercial refrigeration, water-cooled centrifugal chillers, and some transport refrigeration applications. Dubai’s massive automotive sector — and the scale of car AC servicing across the city — makes R134a one of the highest-volume refrigerants sold in the UAE.
Where R134a is used
Automotive AC systems across the majority of the UAE vehicle fleet manufactured before approximately 2018. Medium-temperature commercial refrigeration display cases. Water-cooled centrifugal chillers in large commercial buildings. Some transport refrigeration units. Dawood supplies R134a for both automotive service and HVAC/refrigeration applications.
Operating characteristics
R134a operates at lower pressures than R410A and R32. It is non-flammable (A1 safety class) and non-toxic, making it straightforward to handle. R134a requires POE oil in HVAC/refrigeration applications. For automotive systems, PAG (polyalkylene glycol) oil is the correct lubricant — not POE. Always confirm the application before specifying the oil.
R404A — Commercial Refrigeration and Cold Rooms
R404A is the dominant refrigerant for commercial refrigeration across Dubai’s hospitality, food retail, cold storage, and food processing sectors. Hotel kitchen cold rooms, supermarket display cases, pharmaceutical cold storage, and seafood storage facilities across Dubai and the wider UAE run predominantly on R404A. It is a blended refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential but a very high GWP of approximately 3,922 — the highest of the commonly used refrigerants — which places it firmly in the regulatory phase-down trajectory.
Where R404A is used
Commercial cold rooms and walk-in freezers across Dubai’s hotel, restaurant, and food retail sector. Supermarket and convenience store refrigeration display cases. Pharmaceutical storage facilities. Transport refrigeration. Ice machines. Any commercial refrigeration installation in Dubai built before approximately 2020 is likely running R404A — Dawood stocks R404A for ongoing service supply.
Oil and service requirements
R404A is a blended refrigerant (R125/R143a/R134a) and must be charged as liquid from an inverted cylinder to maintain correct blend composition. POE oil is required. R404A operates at relatively high discharge temperatures — compressor selection for hot ambient installations like Dubai’s outdoor or kitchen cold rooms must account for the elevated condensing conditions.
Regulatory trajectory
R404A’s very high GWP of approximately 3,922 means it faces a more aggressive phase-down timeline than lower-GWP HFCs. New commercial refrigeration systems in the UAE are increasingly being designed with lower-GWP alternatives such as R448A or R449A. Existing R404A systems will continue to require service gas for the foreseeable future — Dawood maintains R404A stock for this ongoing market.
R407C — Commercial AC and Chiller Service
R407C is a blended HFC refrigerant (R32/R125/R134a) that was widely used as a drop-in replacement for R22 in commercial AC systems and water-cooled chillers during the R22 phase-out transition period. It remains in service across a large number of commercial AC installations in Dubai — particularly in mid-size office buildings, hotels, and retail spaces that upgraded from R22 but have not yet been replaced with R410A or R32 equipment.
Where R407C is used
Commercial ducted AC systems, fan-coil units, water-cooled chillers, and some VRF systems installed during the transition away from R22 — typically between 2005 and 2015 in the UAE. R407C is also used in some commercial refrigeration applications. Service demand for R407C remains steady across Dubai’s commercial building maintenance sector.
Critical charging requirement
R407C is a zeotropic blend with significant temperature glide — approximately 7°C between bubble and dew point. It must be charged as liquid only (cylinder inverted or liquid valve connection) to maintain correct blend composition. Charging R407C as vapour causes significant fractionation, leaving the system with the wrong refrigerant mix. POE oil is required.
R600a and R290 — Natural Refrigerants in Dubai
Two natural hydrocarbon refrigerants are increasingly present in Dubai’s HVAC and refrigeration sector, driven by their very low GWP and high energy efficiency.
R600a (Isobutane) — Domestic Refrigerators
R600a has become the standard refrigerant in virtually all new domestic refrigerators and small commercial display fridges sold in the UAE. Its GWP is approximately 3 — negligible compared to HFCs. R600a is flammable (A3 class) but the very small charges used in domestic appliances (50–150g) keep it within safe limits when the system is intact. Dawood stocks R600a for domestic appliance service work.
R290 (Propane) — Commercial Refrigeration
R290 is a highly efficient natural refrigerant being adopted in smaller commercial refrigeration systems, heat pumps, and some precision cooling applications. GWP of 3 — effectively climate-neutral from an HFC perspective. R290 is A3 flammable and requires equipment specifically designed for hydrocarbon refrigerants with appropriate explosion protection. Not a field substitute for HFC refrigerants — only used in equipment designed for it.
Which Refrigerant Does My System Use? — Dubai Field Guide
The single most reliable way to identify the correct refrigerant for any system is to read the outdoor unit nameplate. The refrigerant type will be printed — usually alongside the capacity in BTU or kW, voltage, and model number. Never assume from brand or appearance alone. Here are the general patterns for Dubai installations:
Split AC installed before 2008
Almost certainly R22. Confirm from nameplate. Use R22 service gas with mineral or AB oil. Do not use R410A gauges — use standard R22 manifold gauges with correct P-T scale.
Split AC installed 2008–2020
Very likely R410A. Confirm from nameplate. Use R410A service gas with POE oil. High-pressure manifold gauges rated for R410A are required — standard R22 gauges are not suitable.
Split AC installed after 2020
Very likely R32. Confirm from nameplate. Use R32 service gas with POE oil. Follow A2L safety practices — nitrogen for pressure testing, no open flame leak detection, adequate ventilation.
Commercial cold room or display case
Most likely R404A. Older units may be R22. Check the compressor nameplate and the system data plate. Use reciprocating or scroll compressors designed for the correct refrigerant type. POE oil for R404A. Dawood stocks R404A and R22 compressors for refrigeration replacement work.
Car AC service
The vast majority of vehicles in the UAE use R134a. Newer vehicles (2018 onwards, European models from earlier) may use R1234yf — check the under-bonnet refrigerant label. Never mix R134a and R1234yf circuits. Use PAG oil for automotive R134a systems.
Domestic refrigerator service
New domestic refrigerators use R600a (isobutane). Older models may use R134a. The compressor nameplate will confirm. R600a requires specific tools and procedures for its flammable classification — standard AC gauges and vacuum pumps are not rated for hydrocarbon refrigerants.
🧊 Dawood Cooling Systems — Deira, Dubai
Full range of refrigerant gases — available from stock in Deira
R22 · R410A · R32 · R134a · R404A · R407C · R600a · R290 · R507 · R417A
Refrigerant Brands Stocked by Dawood
Dawood Cooling Systems supplies refrigerant gases from trusted brands with established supply chains into the UAE market. Counterfeit and sub-specification refrigerant gas is a genuine problem in the Gulf market — buying from a reputable wholesale supplier is the safest way to ensure the gas you are putting into a customer’s system is what the label says it is.
Westron® Refrigerants
Dawood’s own brand — R22, R134a, R410A, and R32 in standard cylinder sizes. Widely used across the UAE HVAC maintenance sector. Available for immediate supply from Deira stock. Consistent specification and competitive wholesale pricing for contractors and dealers.
Maxron Refrigerants
Full range including R22, R134a, R404A, R407C, R410A, R507A, and R600a. Maxron is a well-established brand in the UAE refrigerant market, available from Dawood in the cylinder sizes used by Dubai’s HVAC and refrigeration service sector.
Forane® (Arkema)
French-manufactured refrigerant gases from Arkema — a benchmark quality standard for commercial and industrial applications where refrigerant specification is critical. Forane® refrigerants are specified for precision applications including pharmaceutical cold storage and process cooling. Available through Dawood for commercial customers.
Mafron, Eliwell, Refron
Additional refrigerant brands available from Dawood covering R22, R32, R134a, R404A, and R410A. Multiple brands across the same refrigerant type gives contractors flexibility on pricing and availability — particularly useful during peak Dubai summer demand when specific brands can be temporarily out of stock across the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use R410A gas to top up a system that uses R22?
No — this is a serious mistake that will damage the system. R22 and R410A operate at completely different pressures and use incompatible oil types. Adding R410A into an R22 system creates a dangerous pressure condition, introduces incompatible oil chemistry, and will likely destroy the compressor. Always read the nameplate to confirm the correct refrigerant type before adding any gas. If you are unsure, WhatsApp Dawood at +971 56 544 2853 with a photo of the nameplate.
Is R22 still available to buy in Dubai in 2026?
Yes — R22 remains available for purchase in the UAE for servicing existing R22 equipment. It cannot be used in new installations. Dawood stocks R22 in standard cylinder sizes from our Deira warehouse. R22 pricing has increased over recent years as global production declines under the Montreal Protocol phase-out schedule — contractors with significant R22 service commitments should consider buying in larger quantities when pricing is favourable. WhatsApp us for current R22 pricing.
What is the difference between R32 and R410A — can they be mixed?
R32 and R410A are different refrigerants with different operating pressures, GWP values, and safety classifications. They cannot be mixed — R410A is itself a blend of R32 (50%) and R125 (50%), but they are not interchangeable as service gases. R32 is mildly flammable (A2L); R410A is non-flammable (A1). Systems designed for R32 use R32 compressors rated for R32’s discharge temperature. Never add R32 to an R410A system or vice versa.
How do I know if a refrigerant cylinder from the market is genuine?
Counterfeit and contaminated refrigerant gas is present in the UAE market — particularly for R22, which commands a premium price. Signs of suspect gas include unusually low pricing, cylinders without tamper-evident seals, unclear or non-standard labelling, and gas that does not match the expected pressure for its temperature. Buy from established wholesale suppliers with a physical location and verifiable supply chain. Dawood imports directly from trusted manufacturers and carries full documentation for the refrigerant brands we stock.
What cylinder sizes do you stock for each refrigerant?
Cylinder sizes vary by refrigerant type and brand. Common sizes in the UAE HVAC market are 13.6kg (30 lb) and larger bulk cylinders for AC refrigerants (R22, R410A, R32), and smaller cylinders for refrigeration gases (R404A, R407C). WhatsApp Dawood at +971 56 544 2853 with your refrigerant type and quantity requirement and we will confirm available sizes and current pricing from our Deira stock.
Related Pages
- All Refrigerant Gases — Browse Full Range
- R22 Refrigerant Gas — multiple brands in stock
- R410A Refrigerant Gas
- R32 Refrigerant Gas
- R134a Refrigerant Gas
- R404A Refrigerant Gas
- Compressors — matched to your refrigerant type
- Lubricants & Oils — POE, mineral, AB, PAG
- Blogs & News — more HVAC guides from Dawood
Order Refrigerant Gas in Dubai — Full Range from Deira Stock
R22, R410A, R32, R134a, R404A, R407C, R507, R417A, R600a, R290 — all available from Dawood Cooling Systems in Deira, Dubai. Multiple brands per gas type. Wholesale pricing for contractors and dealers. WhatsApp your requirement and we confirm availability and price within the hour.
📞 +971 56 544 2853 · ✉ dawooddcs20@gmail.com · Deira, Near Union Metro Station, Dubai · Mon–Sat 8AM–9PM
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