Note that there is another kind of oil called Polyol Ester Oil (POE). R-134a, while non-ozone depleting, is still viewed unfavorably due to its GWP of 1,430. Important Features: Color-coded Easy to use Made of high-quality brass Specific for R-134a Pros: Easy to operate. To be absolutely clear, these refrigerants are not EPA-approved and shouldnt be used. We suggest dumping the old refrigerant oil in a clean container and inspect the oil for sludge or waxing (old oil that has gelled) and contamination (metal particles). Refrigerant: Must be EPA-approved and cannot be intentionally released (vented) into the environment. In the automotive world, the replacement for R12 was tetrafluoroethane, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) branded as R134a. This ability has encouraged R12 in a wide variety of applications and over a wide range of temperature variables. The best oil that runs well with R134a is PAG oil or Polyalkylene Glycol. We consider the the various types alternative refrigerants that are illegal or not approved to be in two sectors: non-flammables and flammables. How To Use An A/C Manifold Gauge Set - CARiD This is why it is crucially important that R134a systems be properly evacuated (pumped down to boil off any moisture) and kept sealed. All refrigeration plants use compressors to compress the gas returning from collecting heat, raise its temperature further, and compress it to facilitate cooling. Both of these refrigerants wont be used in new air conditioning or refrigeration plants, but theyll continue to be used in existing plants and the automotive industry. R134a and R12 are among the most popular types of refrigerants. R134a was the replacement refrigerant for R12. Its legal to own either of these gasses, but its illegal to vent them into the air. As these refrigerants are slowly phased out, there are still many questions that people have about them. Let's talk about refridgerants: R-12a or R-134a? | TDIClub Forums I am currently retired and no longer do much with HVAC, however, I feel like I have a lot of knowledge in the subject and I wanted to create a website where I could talk about what I've learned and help upcoming HVAC techs. As for R134a and R1234yf, theres no room for conversion. In air conditioning units installed in motor vehicles, the systems increased running time results in increased fuel usage. Not so fast. This chart has a column of ambient (outside) air temperatures on one side and a corresponding range of high side pressures on the other side. These two refrigerants are the older types and are not used in newer refrigeration and air conditioning systems. R12 contains a chemical called chlorine that destroys the ozone layer, thereby causing potential environmental risk. In many parts of the world, its now viewed as a greenhouse gas, and its use is discouraged. R12 costs about 4 times as much as R134a. R12s ODP is 1 (the highest rating). You can find many videos and web forum posts where people retrofit R152a into cars that originally had R12 and profess excellent results, but it is not approved by the EPA for retrofit applications, only new car applications. To bless the system the technician should attach a R134a sticker somewhere in the engine compartment to note the car is using R134a. You can get it and use it. It's important to get good. Lichamp HVAC R410A Manifold Gauge Set AC R134A, Freon R22 R32 410A 134A Diagnostic Manifold Gauge with Hose Kit Air Conditioner Refrigerant Recharge Kit Visit the Lichamp Store 403 ratings | 10 answered questions -27% $7999 List Price: $109.99 FREE Returns Available at a lower price from other sellers that may not offer free Prime shipping. Its not illegal to own this product, but with it being withdrawn from use in so many countries, its no longer manufactured. Given two identical vehicles, each with the same weighted amount of refrigerant, the vehicle with the R134a has the capability to remove more heat (measured in btus) from the vehicle than the same type of vehicle using the same amount of R12. The global warming potential is a factor that measures the amount of heat trapped by any gas when compared to the amount of heat trapped by the same amount of carbon dioxide. This product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive, so its extremely safe to use for domestic refrigeration. If your vehicle is after 1994, you could use R-134a in its air conditioning system. The sticker typically has a place to note the amount of refrigerant used, the type of oil and amount of oil, the technicians sign off or name and the date of the conversion. Price is reasonable Consistent and accurate This is measured using a factor known as ODP (ozone depletion potential). Yes R12 systems did cool better than R134a, but there are differences and it is not wise to go back wards. If your cars system has a sufficient condenser design and air flow to expel the greater amount of heat extracted by R134a, then by all means you should convert over when the time comes. R134a is a greenhouse gas, while R1234yf has a lower global warming . Its not that difficult but the procedures of evacuation, charging and testing should be done by a licensed a/c technician that is experienced with R134a and your particular car. When R12s effects on the ozone layer became known and it was superseded by R134a, EPA came down hard with large fines on both professionals and DIY-ers. R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. And that brings us to, I continue to use R12 in two of my carsmy 1972 BMW 2002tii and 1973 Bavaria. h. c. F. Porsche AG. Therefore, the higher the factor of the chemical (compound), the greater its effect on global warming. A/C R12-to-R12a Refrigerant Recharge Results - Forums However, leaks do occur. Thats not the case with R12, ensuring that the efficiency of the plant isnt compromised. Any new installation of refrigeration or air conditioning wont use R134a as a refrigerant as the production and importation of this gas to the US has been banned. If you are replacing other system components, such as condensers, driers or hoses, you may need to add more a/c refrigerant oil to the system. The maximum value is 1. However, if it is taken close to a fire flame or any electrical heating element, it disintegrates into toxic products. This is not to say that one of these small retro-fit kits cant be used, however to be used wisely. The main difference between R12, R134a, and R1234yf is their effect on the environment. The non-flammables can have R22 type gas which is not compatible with most rubber hoses or they have gases that contribute to global warming. We chose to use 5-6 ounces of oil to be on the safe side: 3-4 ounces for the compressor, 1 oz of oil for the drier and another ounce of oil for system losses. Though you can purchase 12 or 16 ounce cans of R134a from local retailers it is very difficult to measure out the correct amount into your system. Thank you! The next piece of equipment to track down leaks is a leak sniffer. This would become an expensive investment for a repair or service station to have unique dedicated equipment for every type of alternative refrigerant. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. The problem in all of this is the sentence As long as the system is functioning correctly and not leaking. Who in their right mind would take a tight, cold, R12-based system and convert it to less-efficient R134a? R12 has a GWP of 10,910, so its effect on global warming is over 10,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. Problem solved, right? With the differences between the two refrigerants in mind, it goes without saying that charging an R12 system with R134a can have some serious negative effects. 134A HVACR versus 134A Automotive..Difference?? - HVAC-Talk: Heating Gauges are used to read the pressure of various liquids and gases in a cooling system, as well as vacuum pressure in the process of testing or charging the device. Only licensed air conditioning companies and technicians may purchase this refrigerant. R12 has a global warming potential factor of 2400. Another difference is that yf Evaporators must meet SAE Spec J2842, which was not an issue in R-134a systems. Besides, its technology has been tested and trusted. If your car was produced after 1994, it likely has R134a used as the refrigerant. Since these days a can of R134a is about $15, the cost differential isnt what it was in the panicked days of the mid-1990s. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the amount of R134a used. Relevant Characteristics Between R12 and R134a, R12 vs R134a Refrigerant: What is the Difference? R12 is CFC: Even though R12 is one of the most commonly used refrigerants, it is CFC. Boiling Point: R134a refrigerants boiling point is -26.3C (-15.34F). The typical scenario here is when the car owner buys an inexpensive retro-fit kit from the local auto parts store. R134a Expansion valve different from R12? - Automotive Air Conditioning A simple rule of thumb conversion would be to take the amount of R12 refrigerant your system requires, in pounds, and multiply by 0.9 (your answer should be 90% of the R12 value). Nevertheless, repeat after me: It is illegal to vent refrigerant. Its been labeled as a greenhouse gas, and its use is no longer supported. R134a is called tetrafluoroethane (HFC). Using R134a requires that Polyolester (POE) lubricant must be used in the compressor. Most countries frown on the use of these gasses due to their environmental impact. For instance at 25 F the pressure of R-12 is 24.6 PSI and the pressure of R-134a is 22.1 PSI. Theres no doubt that R12 refrigerant is one of the first compounds manufactured for the air conditioning and refrigeration world, but it had to be banned. Whenever its exposed to the environment, it changes to a gas. Stay on the right side of the law, the environment, and your conscience, and dont vent refrigerant. In the last 10 years, new information has shown that this gas contributes to global warming. However, you can convert R12 to R134a by yourself, save money and keep all the tools purchased. There are other refrigerants: some of which may work, some of which dont work, some of which will destroy your a/c system and some of which are dangerous. Here are the basics for converting a system that does not have a charge of R12, its empty. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the . Low refrigerating effect per pound: In comparison to other refrigerants, the refrigerating effect of R12 per pound is low. So as long as the system was functioning correctly and not leaking, it appeared that you could flush the system of any old oil, change the oil in the compressor to PAG or ester oil, replace only the receiver-drier and the o-rings, screw on the charging port adapters, evacuate the system, and recharge it with the new R134a, using about 80% as much as the original R12 volume. But once youre on that path, you can improve the system with a new compressor and parallel-flow condenser which, in most cases, will allow you to get good results with R134a. Ed. A set of R134a-specific charging port adapters should be installed to eliminate the possibility of refrigerant cross-contamination.