Al Faisal HVAC · Dubai · Wholesale Export
Refrigerant Gas Wholesale Kenya —
R22, R32, R410A & R134a from Dubai
All four refrigerant types the Kenyan HVAC and refrigeration market requires — supplied wholesale from Dubai, shipped as DG Class 2 in consolidated LCL containers from Jebel Ali to Mombasa every week.
Refrigerant gas is the one product every Kenyan HVAC workshop and AC service business needs continuously — and the one product where sourcing from Dubai makes the most immediate commercial sense. Nairobi’s local refrigerant supply is limited in range, inconsistent in availability and priced at retail margins. Dubai wholesale supply covers all four refrigerant types Kenya requires, in cylinder sizes suited to workshop volume purchasing, at prices that leave commercial margin for the Kenyan importer.
Al Faisal supplies R22, R410A, R32 and R134a to Kenyan buyers in consolidated LCL shipments from Jebel Ali to Mombasa. Refrigerant gas is DG Class 2 cargo — compressed gas — and we handle the full dangerous goods documentation: DG declaration, MSDS sheets, and the correct shipping manifests for Mombasa port clearance. Your clearing agent receives a complete document set covering every cylinder in the shipment.
💡 Gas consolidates with your other goods in the same container. Refrigerant cylinders ship in LCL consolidation alongside compressors, copper pipe and spare parts in the same Jebel Ali–Mombasa container. There is no need for a separate gas shipment. Most Kenyan buyers order all four refrigerant types together with their compressor and parts stock in one monthly or bi-monthly consolidated shipment — one document set, one clearance, one delivery.
The Four Refrigerants Kenya Needs — and Why Each One Still Matters
A common mistake Kenyan HVAC importers make when building their first Dubai order is to stock only R410A — the refrigerant in current residential split AC — and leave out R22 because they assume it is being phased out. The reality of Kenya’s installed base means that approach leaves a large portion of the service market unserved. Here is what each refrigerant covers and why all four belong in a Kenyan workshop’s stock.
R22 — Still the Dominant Service Refrigerant
R22 is the refrigerant in Kenya’s very large installed base of older split AC systems, window units and commercial equipment installed from the 1990s through the mid-2010s. These systems continue to operate across residential buildings, offices, hotels and government facilities throughout Nairobi, Mombasa and upcountry towns — and they continue to require service, leak repairs and refrigerant top-up. While no new equipment is manufactured for R22, the service demand for existing R22 systems in Kenya will remain significant for years to come. Kenyan workshops that stock R22 alongside R410A cover both the existing installed base and the current generation of new equipment.
R410A — Standard in Current Residential AC
R410A is the refrigerant in the majority of split AC units currently being sold and installed across Kenya — LG, Samsung, Midea, Haier and Gree residential systems almost universally run on R410A. It operates at significantly higher pressures than R22, which is why R410A service requires dedicated high-pressure manifold gauges and correct liquid-phase charging technique. R410A cannot be mixed with R22 and cannot be used in an R22 system. As the primary refrigerant in Kenya’s growing new AC installed base, R410A is the highest-volume gas for most Kenyan workshops and the first refrigerant to stock in adequate quantity.
R32 — The Growing Inverter Standard
R32 is the refrigerant in a rapidly growing share of new inverter split AC units entering the Kenyan market — Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic and a growing range of Midea and Gree premium inverter models use R32. It has a lower global warming potential than R410A and higher energy efficiency in inverter applications. R32 is classified A2L — mildly flammable — which means it requires specific handling practices and, for enclosed spaces, a refrigerant leak detector before servicing. Kenyan workshops that service newer premium inverter AC need R32 in stock.
R134a — Refrigeration & Automotive AC
R134a is not an AC refrigerant in the residential sense — it is the refrigerant in domestic refrigerators, display cabinets, cold rooms and the automotive AC systems in Kenya’s large vehicle fleet. For workshops that service both residential AC and vehicle AC — a common business model in Nairobi — R134a is a separate but equally consistent revenue stream. Kenya’s Japanese-origin vehicle fleet (Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Isuzu) runs heavily on R134a in the car AC system. Cold room refrigeration also uses R134a alongside R404A in many Kenyan cold chain installations.
Handling Refrigerant Gas Correctly — What Kenyan Technicians Need to Know
The difference between a well-run Kenyan HVAC workshop and one that generates repeated callbacks often comes down to refrigerant handling. Getting the gas type right is only the first step — how it is charged into the system determines whether the repair lasts.
R410A Must Be Charged as Liquid
R410A is a near-azeotropic blend — its two component refrigerants (R32 and R125) have slightly different vapour pressures. Charging R410A as vapour from the top of the cylinder causes fractionation — R32 enters the system first, changing the mixture composition and leaving an off-ratio gas in the cylinder. Always invert the R410A cylinder to charge liquid phase. This is the correct technique and is printed on every R410A cylinder — but it is consistently ignored by technicians trained on R22, where vapour charging is standard. Incorrect R410A charging reduces system capacity and efficiency and eventually damages the compressor.
Charge by Weight, Not by Pressure
For inverter AC systems — and for all R32 systems — charging by pressure alone is unreliable. Operating pressure varies significantly with ambient temperature, making pressure readings an inaccurate guide to actual charge weight. The outdoor unit nameplate specifies the exact factory charge in grams. An electronic charging scale — weighing the cylinder before and after charging — is the correct tool. Kenyan workshops still charging inverter AC by pressure are consistently over or undercharging, damaging compressors and voiding the accuracy of any performance check they conduct.
Never Mix Refrigerant Types
Mixing refrigerants — adding R410A to a system with residual R22, or topping up an unknown system without first recovering and identifying the refrigerant present — produces a mixture with unpredictable pressure-temperature behaviour and incompatible oil requirements. The result is compressor damage and a system that cannot be properly serviced. A system with mixed refrigerant must be fully recovered, flushed and recharged with the correct single refrigerant type. Refrigerant recovery equipment is the correct first tool for any system of unknown refrigerant history.
R32 Safety — A2L Classification
R32’s A2L classification means it is mildly flammable — it can ignite under specific conditions if accumulated in sufficient concentration in an enclosed space. In normal outdoor service conditions this is not a significant risk. In enclosed plant rooms, service cupboards or basement mechanical spaces, a refrigerant leak detector should be used before any ignition source is introduced. R32 systems must not be serviced with manifold gauges designed for R22 — use R32-rated equipment. Al Faisal can advise on the correct tools for R32 service.
⚠️ Deep vacuum before every refrigerant charge — the step most often skipped in Kenya
Every system service that opens the refrigerant circuit — compressor replacement, coil repair, line repair — introduces atmospheric moisture into the system. That moisture must be removed before refrigerant is charged. A proper deep vacuum using a two-stage vacuum pump reaching 500 microns or better — held stable for 30 minutes after the pump is isolated — removes moisture and confirms there are no leaks. A system charged over residual moisture will develop acid from refrigerant-oil-moisture reaction, destroying the new compressor from the inside. This damage is not covered under any compressor warranty and it is entirely preventable. A quality vacuum pump and the discipline to use it correctly is the single most important investment a Kenyan HVAC workshop makes.
Shipping Refrigerant Gas from Dubai to Kenya — How It Works
Refrigerant gas is classified as DG Class 2.2 (non-flammable compressed gas) for R22, R410A and R134a, and DG Class 2.1 (flammable gas) for R32. Both classifications ship by sea freight in standard LCL consolidation from Jebel Ali to Mombasa. Al Faisal handles all dangerous goods documentation — your job is to send us the gas types and cylinder quantities you need.
DG Documentation
Al Faisal prepares the DG declaration, MSDS for each refrigerant type, and correct UN number and packing group documentation for the shipping manifest. You receive a complete document set covering DG and general cargo items for KRA clearance at Mombasa port.
Cylinder Sizes
R22 and R410A are available in 13.6kg and larger cylinders suited to workshop purchasing quantities. R32 and R134a in standard workshop cylinder sizes. We advise on the most practical cylinder size for your order volume and storage arrangements.
Consolidation with Other Goods
Refrigerant gas consolidates with compressors, copper pipe, spare parts and HVAC tools in the same LCL container from Jebel Ali to Mombasa. DG segregation requirements are met within the container. Transit time is 10–16 days.
Air Freight
Refrigerant gas cannot ship by air freight — compressed gas cylinders are prohibited as air cargo by IATA. All gas moves by sea freight. If you need a compressor urgently by air, we can split your order — compressor by air freight to Nairobi, gas by the next sea freight consolidation to Mombasa.
Refrigerant Quick Reference — Kenya Market
| Refrigerant | Used In | Charging Method | Kenya Demand | Detail Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R22 | Older split AC, window units, commercial | Vapour — standard manifold | High — large installed base | R22 Kenya → |
| R410A | Current residential split AC — LG, Samsung, Midea, Haier, Gree | Liquid — inverted cylinder | Highest volume | R410A Kenya → |
| R32 | New inverter AC — Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, premium Midea | Weight-based — charging scale | Growing — new installations | R32 Kenya → |
| R134a | Domestic refrigerators, cold rooms, automotive AC | Vapour — R134a manifold | Steady — vehicle fleet & refrigeration | R134a Kenya → |
🌍 Al Faisal — Refrigerant Gas Wholesale Export to Kenya
All four refrigerant types. One shipment. Complete DG documentation.
R22 · R410A · R32 · R134a — DG Class 2 — weekly LCL sea freight Jebel Ali → Mombasa
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship refrigerant gas by air freight from Dubai to Kenya?
No. Compressed gas cylinders — including all refrigerant types — are prohibited as air cargo under IATA dangerous goods regulations. All refrigerant gas must move by sea freight. The Jebel Ali to Mombasa sea freight route is well-established for DG Class 2 cargo and the documentation is straightforward. If you need a compressor urgently and want to send it by air while the gas follows by sea, we can arrange a split shipment — compressor and small parts by air freight to Nairobi, gas and heavier items by the next LCL consolidation to Mombasa.
Is R22 still available from Dubai and how long will supply continue?
Yes, R22 is currently available from Al Faisal in Dubai. The global phase-down of R22 under the Montreal Protocol has reduced production significantly in developed countries, but supply continues through production allowances in certain markets and recycled/reclaimed stock. Dubai remains a supply point for R22 for the African and Middle Eastern service markets. Kenyan buyers should note that R22 pricing has increased over recent years as production declines, and availability may tighten further. Workshops servicing R22 systems should plan their stock accordingly rather than assuming supply will always be on demand at consistent pricing.
Why does R410A require different manifold gauges than R22?
R410A operates at significantly higher pressures than R22 — high-side operating pressure for R410A in Kenya’s climate can reach 380–430 PSI, compared to approximately 200–250 PSI for R22. Standard R22 manifold gauges are typically rated to 500 PSI high side, which gives little safety margin for R410A — and in fault conditions or high ambient, R410A can exceed this. R410A-rated manifold gauges are built to 750 PSI high side minimum and have pressure-temperature scales calibrated for R410A’s refrigerant properties. Using R22 gauges on an R410A system gives inaccurate readings and risks gauge damage. If your workshop services both R22 and R410A systems — which most Kenyan workshops do — you need separate gauge sets for each refrigerant.
What is the correct vacuum level before charging any refrigerant in Kenya?
500 microns (0.5 Torr) is the professional standard minimum for AC system evacuation. For R32 and R410A systems — where moisture causes more rapid compressor damage than in R22 systems — target 300 microns or better and perform a triple evacuation on new installations or any system that has been open for more than a few minutes: evacuate, break vacuum with dry nitrogen, re-evacuate. After reaching target vacuum, isolate the pump and hold for 30 minutes. A vacuum that rises during the hold indicates either moisture still in the system — which needs longer evacuation — or a leak that must be found and repaired before charging. The vacuum pump oil condition is critical: milky or discoloured pump oil cannot achieve deep vacuum. Change pump oil every 20–30 service cycles.
Can I order one refrigerant type or do I need to order all four?
You can order any single refrigerant type or any combination — there is no requirement to order all four. Many Kenyan buyers order their full requirement of all four types in one consolidated shipment because the freight economics make this the most efficient approach, but if your workshop only services R410A systems, you can order R410A alone. The minimum practical quantity is determined by the economics of LCL sea freight — a very small gas order on its own carries a disproportionate freight cost. Most buyers include gas as part of a larger consolidated order that also includes compressors and spare parts.
Related Pages
- R22 Refrigerant Gas Kenya — pricing, availability, import info
- R410A Refrigerant Kenya — wholesale pricing, liquid charging guide
- R32 Refrigerant Gas Kenya — A2L safety, pricing, compatible systems
- R134a Refrigerant Kenya — fridge gas, automotive AC
- Refrigerant Gas Types Guide Kenya — R22 vs R32 vs R410A comparison
- AC Compressors Wholesale Kenya — consolidate with your gas order
- AC Spare Parts Wholesale Kenya — full product range hub
- Manifold Gauges & HVAC Tools Kenya — R410A gauges, vacuum pumps, charging scales
- Copper Pipe & Tube Kenya
- How to Order & Ship from Dubai to Kenya
- Import Guide — Dubai to Kenya
- About Al Faisal — Dubai HVAC exporter since 2005
Order Refrigerant Gas for Kenya from Dubai
R22 · R410A · R32 · R134a — all refrigerant types in one consolidated shipment. DG Class 2 documentation prepared by Al Faisal. Weekly LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Mombasa. Consolidate with compressors, copper pipe and spare parts in the same container for maximum freight efficiency.
📞 +971 55 874 7919 · ☎ 04 2340 337 · Shop No S03B, Al Wasl Building, Deira – Al Rigga, Dubai · Mon–Sat 8AM–8PM (GMT+4)