Abstract: During the progress of refrigerant alternative. R290 (propane) as a hydrocarbon refrigerant used in Room Air Condition (RAC) has been widely concerned. China has also regarded it as a long-term alternative substance, and also given preferential policies. Introduces the change of R290 refrigerant charge in the latest national standard, through the example, the paper further introduces how to calculate R290 Refrigerant charge and the minimum circulating air volume in the new national standard. Then, based on a 1.5 HP R32 APF1 DC INV. RAC system, finished the contrast test when the RAC system changes the refrigerant charge from the R32 to R290 and analyzed the performance results of the whole air conditioner. Finally, combined with the characteristics of R290 refrigerant, the goals and prospects of the future system development are put forward.

Key words: R290, New national standard, Refrigerant charge, APF performance