For decades R404A was the default refrigerant in glass-door freezers and many chillers. Today most new plug-in display cabinets in Europe, and increasingly elsewhere, run on R290 (propane). Here is what that means for a buyer.

Why the industry is moving

The main reason is global warming potential (GWP). Leaked refrigerant is a greenhouse gas, and R404A is a strong one.

RefrigerantTypeGWP (100-year)Flammability
R404AHFC blendabout 3,900Non-flammable (A1)
R134aHFCabout 1,400Non-flammable (A1)
R290Hydrocarbon (propane)about 3Highly flammable (A3)
R600aHydrocarbon (isobutane)about 3Highly flammable (A3)

Regulations in the EU, the UK and the United States now restrict high-GWP refrigerants in new self-contained commercial refrigeration, and many other markets follow similar timelines. Rules change by country and date, so always check the requirement in your market before ordering.

Safety: how R290 cabinets are built

Because propane is flammable, R290 cabinets follow specific design rules. The international appliance standard IEC 60335-2-89 limits the refrigerant charge per circuit (up to 500 g in its current edition for cabinets meeting the extra requirements), and requires:

  • Sealed or non-sparking electrical components near the refrigerant circuit.
  • Leak-tested, brazed circuits with as few joints as possible.
  • Clear flammable-refrigerant warning labels.

Large cabinets use two or more independent circuits to stay under the charge limit.

Performance and energy

R290 transfers heat efficiently and works well with modern variable-speed compressors. In plug-in display cabinets, R290 models are usually at least as efficient as the R404A models they replace, often noticeably better. They also run at lower discharge temperatures, which is kind to compressors.

Service and spare parts

  • Technicians need hydrocarbon training and suitable tools. Ask your service partner before switching.
  • R290 compressors and components are not interchangeable with R404A parts.
  • Order a spare-parts kit (fan motors, controller, door gaskets, LED drivers) with the first container.

Which should you order?

Choose R290 if you sell into the EU, UK or US, if your customers have sustainability targets, or if energy cost matters. Choose R404A or R134a only where local rules still allow it and your service network is not yet trained for hydrocarbons. When in doubt, tell us the destination country and we will confirm which refrigerant the cabinet should use.

Ordering checklist

  1. Destination country and voltage.
  2. Chiller (+2 °C to +8 °C) or freezer (−22 °C to −18 °C).
  3. Number of doors and swing or sliding.
  4. Refrigerant preference and certification needed (CE, UL/ETL, others).
  5. Branding: canopy light box, colours, decals.

Quick answers

Is R290 safe in a shop?
Yes, when the appliance is built to the relevant safety standard. Charge limits, sealed electrical parts and leak-tested circuits keep the risk low, and millions of R290 cabinets are in retail use.
Can I convert an R404A cabinet to R290?
No. R290 needs a different compressor, sealed electrical components and a design approved for flammable refrigerant. Order an R290 model instead.
Do R290 cabinets use less energy?
In most plug-in cabinets, yes. R290 has good thermodynamic properties, and current R290 designs are often more efficient than older R404A models.