Which refrigerant is more suitable for restaurants: R404A or R134A?

When selecting the refrigeration system of a cube ice machine, R404A and R134A are two common refrigerants. They differ in cooling performance, environmental suitability, and cost. Restaurants should choose based on their actual usage conditions:

✅ Features of R404A:

• Powerful low-temperature cooling, ideal for high-capacity ice machines in hot kitchen environments.

• Faster cooling speed, providing high ice output—suitable for beverage chains, milk tea shops, and bars.

• Better heat tolerance, maintains performance even in environments above 35°C.

• Drawback: Higher power consumption and less environmentally friendly than R134A.

✅ Features of R134A:

• Suitable for small to medium-sized units, with moderate cooling range and good energy efficiency.

• More environmentally friendly, with a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP), complying with green regulations in many regions.

• Quieter and more energy-saving, ideal for cafés and convenience stores with limited space.

• Drawback: Performance may drop in high-temperature environments, and ice production speed is slower.

 Conclusion:

• For high ambient temperatures and large ice demand, R404A is recommended.

• For moderate temperatures and eco-conscious operations, R134A is a better fit.

• Most commercial ice machines (medium to large) use R404A by default, while compact models may offer R134A options.