But the problem with R12 is twofold. They behave in the same way when used in any form of refrigeration or air conditioning plant. Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 20. Make sure to wear safety gloves, goggles, and shoes when theres a possibility of exposure to the chemical (R134a). Of course, there could be other problems such as a seized compressor or a blocked expansion valve. The approval is very legal one, governed by the U.S. EPA. Its among the greenhouse gases and will keep adding the current problem of heat not leaving the earths atmosphere. The higher the ambient temperature the higher the high side pressure. These are cars with poor A/C reputations, which is precisely why I continue to use R12 in them. After the system has been tested out it should be checked for leaks. 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. That doesnt mean to say that there are still many thousands of existing installations that are running refrigeration plants using this refrigerant to cool them. All refrigeration plants use compressors to compress the gas returning from collecting heat, raise its temperature further, and compress it to facilitate cooling. The original expansion valves work very well with R134a. Statisicaly your friend was lucky. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. Then there are three new EPA-approved climate-friendly alternatives. There is R1234yf, which is already being used on new cars but is classified as mildly flammable. At $70 per pound, no one is using it in retrofit applications. However, there wereand aresome challenges to using it in an automotive A/C system designed for R12. The system will be checked for gross leaks while under vacuum. Unfortunately, the widespread use of R12 appeared to be significantly degrading the Earths ozone layer, potentially causing a worldwide health crisis. There are significant differences between R12, R134a, and R513A, which must be considered when handling, processing, applying, or retrofitting with these refrigerants. Converting them is extremely expensive, and in many cases, replacement is the only option available. Being a CFC, this product depletes the earths ozone layer, contributing to global warming. This product does contain dangerous chemicals such as methyl chloride and vinyl chloride, both of which are carcinogenic and may cause congenital disabilities. 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. This means that when using R134a, the compressor should be oiled with Polyalkylene Glycol or PAG oil. Technicians must capture and recycle R134a safely, and the gas must be disposed of by following the EPA guidelines. If the target environment is only moderately hot, and your use of the car is light, R134a will probably be fine. So when someone says, You cant get R12 anymore, or Its illegal to use R12, those things simply arent true. Moreso, it had been banned. Its found in domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning. If the oil didnt dissolve into the refrigerant, it would reduce the refrigerants ability to transfer heat. 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. When the sensor detects the refrigerant leak the sniffers lights glow and the sniffer makes a noise. Also, since R134a uses synthetic oil, it has a low global warming potential, unlike R12 which uses mineral oil which poses a negative environmental impact. For example, while R12 itself is similar to the halon used in fire extinguishers, when R12 is mixed with mineral oilthe most commonly-used lubricant oil in R12 systemsand aerosolized and burned, it creates phosgene gas, which was used as a chemical agent in WWI. 0,008 0,01 0,012 0,014 0,016 0,018 0,02-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 Evaporation Temperature Mass Flow Rate R600a R134a R290 R1270 R32 . Note that there is another kind of oil called Polyol Ester Oil (POE). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. By noting the ambient temperature you can look up what the preferred high side pressure should be. Well worth the money if your A/C system is still in good shape. R-134a entirely dominated the automotive market by 1994. On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. R12 is otherwise called dichlorodifluoromethane is a colorless gas (chlorofluorocarbon halomethane (CPC) that is used as an aerosol spray propellant and a refrigerant, and is soluble in organic solvents. It has a lower global warming potential than R134a. When theyre in a liquid state, theyll remove heat from air passing over the pipes theyre in and slowly evaporate to form a gas. If it splashes inside the eye, it could lead to a serious eye problem. I did a beer cooler with a target temp of 36 degrees, these are largely different pressures than you'll see in automotive which has a max desired temp of 60 degrees. In addition, R134a refrigerants are not only used in auto air conditioners, they can be used in freezers, aerosol cans, and refrigerators. Recharge the compressor with a/c ester oil and a tracer dye. So if you car has a large amount of rubber hose, such as a 40 feet with the 911, then you will be re-charging the system often and that is expensive no matter which refrigerant you use. R12 and R134a are not the only game in town. The system will accumulate a type of acidic sludge that will eventually destroy the system. R134a has a GWP of 1430. Carbon dioxide is deemed to have a value of 1, so the higher the compounds factor, the greater its effect on global warming. As this chemical has both chlorine and fluorine in its make-up, it belongs to the group of chemicals known as CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons. Carefully study the chart and compare the following: To a large extent, the choice is up to you. R134a vs R12 refrigerant? In the last 10 years, new information has shown that this gas contributes to global warming. R134a is NOT less efficient than R12 - Actually R134a is more efficient. I was recently selling a beautiful 1987 BMW 325is with cold R12-based A/C. This can be very very expensive. Now, in the case of big American cars, with their massively overbuilt A/C systems and huge condensers, R134a conversion often worked fine. R12 was the first refrigerant created. In contrast, the most likely reason youd consider recharging with an alternative refrigerant is because the refrigerant leaked out of your car and youre trying to avoid doing a full-on A/C rejuvenation which includes finding the leak and properly changing refrigerants. These two refrigerants are very similar. You do not need to replace the expansion valve in most cases. We are an automotive mechanic blog that helps mechanics and car users to find the most recent and accurate technical and repair information for their cars. With that said, Ill agree that the flammability issue may not be as black-and-white as it appears. These two refrigerants are the older types and are not used in newer refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The biggest difference between the two is that R1234yf is mildly flammable and does require special handling. R12 has a global warming potential factor of 2400. Versus Ferrari F8 & Lamborghini Huracan Evo Cammisas Ultimate Drag Race Replay, Ultra RARE: Colin Chapmans Lotus Eleven + 327 Corvette Stingray with 4-speed | Barn Find Hunter Ep. But if you live in a hot climate, want to daily-drive the car, and the car has a tiny-capacity A/C system which, even after modernization, may only perform marginally, you may want to consider sticking with R12. 2021 Complete Guide, Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101, Screw, roll, rotary, reciprocating, and centrifugal compressors for refrigeration and air conditioning, Used in automotive air conditioning since 1994, and has been retrofitted to many older models as a replacement to R12, Used to remove humidity from compressed air in gas dusters. Were most familiar with water, which we see as ice when its cold, liquid when its at room temperature, and steam when we boil it. Because A/C compressors have moving parts, they require oil. Besides R134a there are some other refrigerants that are approved to replace R12 and there is a long list of refrigerants that are not approved. Inhalation of vapor: Inhaling a large amount of R134a vapor can lead to drowsiness, temporary nervous system depression, and lethargy. R134a is classified as a dangerous greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The problem with these so called drop in replacements is that to properly handle them you may need dedicated equipment to identify the gas and evacuate it for proper disposal. R134a is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent as well. For instance you can evacuate FRIGC FR-12 into a refrigerant recovery bottle that has R134a in it or visa versa. However, there are some drawbacks to using this type as well. But many European cars, such as the vintage BMWs I love, had A/C systems that never functioned all that well even when they were new and charged up with R12. Pound for pound R134a is a more efficient refrigerant than R12, however it runs at higher pressures in some aspects and therefore requires more effective condensing. Yes R12 systems did cool better than R134a, but there are differences and it is not wise to go back wards. I wouldnt say Im a BMW enthusiast. These guidelines are offered tohelp understand the differences . If youre going to go to all that effort on a vintage car with an A/C system that hasnt been used in years, it usually behooves you do a full-on rejuvenation of the system and replace the compressor with a new compact rotary-style unit, replace the condenser with the largest parallel-flow condenser and big fan thatll fit in the nose of the car, make all new hoses, and flush the evaporator. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. So the oil must be compatible with the refrigerant. R134a wont damage the earths ozone layer. ODP = 0, Has a global warming potential (GWP) of 10900, No longer manufactured or imported into the USA, Has an ozone depletion factor (ODP) of 1 which is the highest possible, Has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1430. Thats not true either. Therefore, the higher the factor of the chemical (compound), the greater its effect on global warming. From this number, subtract 1/4, or 0.25 pounds. It provided much needed context as I embark on re-building the AC in my sons new (to him) 1988 Toyota pickup. It is a haloalkane and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant that has thermodynamic properties, potential global warming for one hundred years, and insignificant ozone depletion. While R513A is a viable option for new and existing equipment, it is not a "drop- in" replacement for R12 or R134a. However, you need calibrated gauges for R410A. Also, the fittings and hoses should be perfectly compatible with R410A. Initially, an invasive recipe was proposed: the system should be flushed to remove any traces of the old R12-specific mineral oil, the compressor and expansion valve should be replaced with R134a-specific versions to perform correctly, and the old hoses should be replaced with 134a-specific barrier hoses to forestall leakage. To be absolutely clear, these refrigerants are not EPA-approved and shouldnt be used. BTW Im sorta tempted to buy one of your BMW 2002 cars. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the amount of R134a used. Also, the EPA 609 certification can be easily obtained by taking an online exam. Its unlikely that air conditioners or refrigeration plants will be converted from R12 or R134a to R22, but it can be done if reclaimed R22 refrigerant can be located. Typically 5 to 6 ounces of a/c oil is adequate but this may vary depending upon the car. Unfortunately, taking the longer view of things, even if you do leak-test a car thoroughly and properly all A/C systems leak eventually, so any can of R12 you put into a car will likely wind up in the atmosphere, an eventuality that I am less and less comfortable with. Winner: R-600a. But some types of PAG do not mix well with the old residual R12 mineral oil left in the system components whereas ester does mix very well. This means that the tiny droplets of oil from the compressor that end up in the refrigerant will be returned via the compressors refrigerant; they wont block pipes. Besides, R134a refrigerant was manufactured after R12 was banned to help reduce the harshness of the old chemical (R12) on the ozone layer. Then subtract 0.25 pounds. ZENY 3,5CFM Single-Stage 5 Pa Rotary Vane Economy Vacuum Pump 3 CFM 1/4HP Air Conditioner Refrigerant HVAC Air Tool R410a 1/4" Flare Inlet . To bless the system the technician should attach a R134a sticker somewhere in the engine compartment to note the car is using R134a. You either get a system that will function well with R1234yf or get any other type. R12 systems used mineral oil, but unfortunately mineral oil doesnt dissolve in R134a. Next, add a can of R12a from the low side fitting while running your A/C. If your car does not have a high pressure cut-out switch in the AC system then youll need to have one installed (call us if you need help). You can recharge your A/C system with chicken soup (lousy refrigerant, by the way) and no black helicopters will come to your house, but in a world where people usually dont hold onto their cars forever, R134a is still the best choice for retrofit applications. 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. If you use anything other than R134a, youll likely create a situation where you must be the one servicing the system. 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. In a comparison between R12 vs R134a vs R1234yf, R1234yf will pass as the best refrigerant. The cost of recharging the air conditioner is between $150 to $500. R134a is safe to use as its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. There are other EPA-approved refrigerants such as Hot Shot and Freeze 12, which you can find here. It became known as R12 or Freon. A final difference is that most (though not all) R-1234yf cars will have a Suction Line Heat Exchanger. Santech R12 to R134a Coupler . The effect that R134a has on global warming makes this gas an unattractive product to many technicians. dye and seal. Each has its own cult following and requires its own EPA-approved charging fittings. This boiling point means that itll condense with moderate pressure, so applications can use a lower pressure condenser to achieve the same results. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. 1. R134a and R12 are among the most popular types of refrigerants. Most vehicles manufactured before 1993 have the R12 A/C system. Because R134a is an HFC, not a CFC (stay with me for a minute), it does not have the ozone-destroying properties of R12. Buy online for free next day delivery or same day pickup at a store near you. R12 has an ODP of 1, meaning that it has the highest potential to destroy the ozone layer. R134A does not deplete the ozone layer of the earth as it is a CFC refrigerant. Nevertheless, if your application is configured only for R12, then you can use it or consider replacing the applications engine. Another way to check is to look at the air conditioning connectors. Before landing on the debate of R134 vs R12 you should know that both R134a and R12 are AC refrigerants types used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. In most cases, the systems used have varied components, designs, and service ports. So to keep things simple and to avoid controversy and politics we have R134a. But, if your car lacks enough condenser and you have many 100+ degree days then you may want to stick either increase air flow, add another condenser as we mentioned in The Mr. Ice Project or stick with R12. R134a is NOT less efficient than R12 Actually R134a is more efficient. A set of R134a-specific charging port adapters should be installed to eliminate the possibility of refrigerant cross-contamination. 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. The exact amount will vary with each car. 2001-2023 Griffiths Technical Inc. All Rights Reserved. R12 costs about 4 times as much as R134a. Replace the drier with a drier that has a desiccant that is R134a compatible, use new R134a o-rings. This means that when exposed to the environment, it exists as a gas. Its improbable that any new installation will be built that uses this refrigerant as its use is deemed highly undesirable in many countries and international environmental treaties discourage its use. The biggest problem that youll have is the oil in the system. R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. h. c. F. Porsche AG. Piston Slap: Booting a Torino in a snap without snaps? 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. And then there is the very interesting refrigerant R152a, which is the ingredient in keyboard duster, minus the bittering agent added to prevent inhalant abuse. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the . SKU # 532244. . We say generally because the vehicle manufacturer may have a formula already worked out for the R134a conversion process. 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. The ozone depletion potential of a chemical is a factor that shows the level of degradation itll cause to the ozone layer that surrounds and secures the earth from harmful radiation. R134a is a greenhouse gas, while R1234yf has a lower global warming . Oil doesnt stay in the compressor, however, it dissolves in the liquid refrigerant and gets carried through the system as a fine particulate mist when the refrigerant goes through its liquid/gaseous transition. Therefore, the R12 refrigerant is illegal, and emitting it is illegal. As R134a was touted as the replacement for R12, and the conversion of the refrigeration system to run R134a was relatively painless, many commercial installations use this refrigerant. However, if it is taken close to a fire flame or any electrical heating element, it disintegrates into toxic products. These applications will - due to browser restrictions - send data between your browser and our server. This would become an expensive investment for a repair or service station to have unique dedicated equipment for every type of alternative refrigerant. R134a isnt toxic, corrosive, explosive, or flammable, making it a good choice for air conditioning, but its cooling properties arent as good as R12. We have the best A/C Manifold Gauge Set and Components for the right price. Reusing Refrigerant: Refrigerant must be properly recycled or reclaimed before it can be reused, even if it is being returned to the vehicle from which it was removed. Difference Between R-134a and R-410A Refrigerants? Most of all the differences gravitate to longevity, functionality, and safety. Lets have a closer look at these similarities and differences. No, its not possible to mix these two refrigerants. Any old black o-rings should be replaced with R134a-compliant green o-rings. As for R134a and R1234yf, theres no room for conversion. At this time you can still find R12, but, because it is no longer produced, availability is limited to current inventories and the price per pound is greater than R134a. The problems that arise are related to the oils used in the system and the fact that they have different charge weights and different boiling points. When the ambient air temps get above 80F the gauge readings can run a bit higher on the high side and lower on the low side when using R134a. Concentration level: The R134a vapor dilutes the oxygen concentration in the air to a low level, thereby causing harm. Additionally, R134a was introduced as a replacement for R22 and R12 in high and medium-temperature refrigeration systems like domestic and commercial chillers. I have never see the other way around. 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). Generally this works well for the whole system. 21, 1439 AH. However, R134a is better than R12. I have seen a large difference in pressures you are looking for due to temperature demand of unit. R134a has an ozone depletion potential of zero and a global warming potential of 1430. On a long-dormant system, the odds are very high that its dead because it has no refrigerant in it, which means it has leaked out which means theres a leak that must be located and fixed. The molecule size of R134a is smaller than that of R12, so there was concern that R134a could leak out through the hoses and flare fittings that R12 systems used. So, along with R134a came a new oil: Polyalkylene Glycolor PAG oil. Nevertheless, repeat after me: It is illegal to vent refrigerant. R12 has not be manufactured for a long time it was outlawed in the US. This is used in automotive air conditioning in older vehicles and domestic and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration. This is why it is crucially important that R134a systems be properly evacuated (pumped down to boil off any moisture) and kept sealed. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. R134a and R12 are both refrigerants used in vehicle air conditioning systems. Also worth noting is that the R-600a requires a shorter time to reach -21C (60 minutes) compared to the R-134a (135 minutes) [1]. The major difference between these two refrigerants is their chemical composition. These properties make it very attractive for domestic, commercial, and automotive refrigeration and air conditioning. This item: R12 R22 R134a R404a Manifold Gauge Set 3" Gauge HVAC A/C Refrigeration Charging Service. Ed. Even if youre OK with that, if the system needs work, any refrigerant in it will need to be recovered. 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. However, its been shown that R134a is as destructive to the environment, and newer refrigerants have been created to overcome this problem. Shut off your car and once again let out all the pressure. However, some old air conditioning units still use them. This means that this compound is made up of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. You confirmed my decisions in one elegant post (as opposed to the 60-odd hours of blog post readings and YouTube videos). Not so fast. Quote Minuit Members 5.1k And it was safeneither poisonous to breathe, nor flammable. As these refrigerants are slowly phased out, there are still many questions that people have about them. R-12 isn't just unfriendly to the ozone layer, it has a GWP value of 10,900! Remove the old mineral oil from the compressor by turning it upside down, side to side, and turn the front hub on the clutch assembly. Since 2010, all home AC systems manufactured use a refrigerant like R134a that has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). Here are a few of the more common questions. This is a highly desirable property as it means that the boiling point is always below the targeted temperature. If your car was produced after 1994, it likely has R134a used as the refrigerant. You can spend interesting evenings going down the rabbit hole online and reading posts from folks who vigorously defend flammable refrigerants and say, You do know that your car carries 20 gallons of flammable gasoline, dont you? Yes, but gasoline usually isnt routed through the passenger compartment, and theres a zero-tolerance policy toward gasoline leakage. When you add fluorescent tracer dye to with the refrigerant oil it helps to track down leaks that push oil out of the system. Chemistry. It is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine. Thus, R-600a is more efficient than R-134a. Also, look for a blue sticker that gives the date of conversion. Like R12, this product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive. After the optimum refrigerant charge is determined the car should be test driven to check for performance of the system. 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. The new player in the market is HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf), which is considered ozone-friendly and has a GWP of less than 1. You might find that the system doesn't get as cool even after properly charging it. Condensers designed to release greater amounts of heat help to expel the greater amount of heat which R134a removes from the cars interior. Many existing installations continue to use the product. R134a was touted as the replacement for R12 until it too was deemed environmentally undesirable. The service ports in both systems are quick-connect, but they are taller in the yf systems to avoid cross-contamination. This gas is then cooled via environmental means, and the gas slowly loses heat and reverts to a liquid state. Im not a lawyer, but charging a known-leaky system with something flammable sounds like culpable negligence to me. They differ in the number of ports, alias manifolds, that are used for attaching accessories. In air conditioning units installed in motor vehicles, the systems increased running time results in increased fuel usage. Osuagwu Solomon is a certified mechanic with over a decade of experience in the mechanic garage, and he has over five years of experience in the writing industry. The global warming potential measures the amount of heat trapped by any gas compared to the amount of heat trapped by the same amount of carbon dioxide. Thus you see how R134a conversion was often applied to systems that were not working correctly, if they were working at all. Refrigerant for domestic & commercial use, Mainly used in the automotive industry but can be used as a refrigerant for domestic and commercial use, Has excellent cooling properties and performs at a similar level to R134A, Has excellent cooling properties and performs at a similar level to R12. One cant discount its drawbacks, but theres a great deal of knowledge and information available on safely using the product. However, take note that R134a refrigerants are manufactured specifically for automotive air conditioners. All these industries still have old plants that use these refrigerants. A/C professionals derisively called these death kits because they had a reputation for causing the compressor to seize a few months later. The original rubber a/c hose lines in your car will leak out R12 through the hoses lining. Its chemical symbol is CCl2F2. Rxmechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You may have heard of a friend that did the job himself with borrowed equipment and 12 or 16 ounce cans of refrigerant. R134a is the most commonly used refrigerant to convert automotive air conditioning away from the destructive R12. In more serious, it could result in cardiac irregularities or death. First, it is a pernicious ozone-destroying agent, so if you are going to use it in a car, you are morally required to do everything under the sun to thoroughly leak-test the system before charging it with R12. Plus, not releasing the chemical into the air is morally justifiable. All compressors require oils to lubricate the moving parts. Its been used in the refrigeration industry for a long time, so theres a large body of knowledge established around the product. Both of these products are refrigerants. This means that its classified as a greenhouse gas and will add to the current problems of heat not escaping the earths atmosphere. The biggest giveaway is the air conditioning connectors. For instance at 25 F the pressure of R-12 is 24.6 PSI and the pressure of R-134a is 22.1 PSI. The typical scenario here is when the car owner buys an inexpensive retro-fit kit from the local auto parts store. International manufacturing of new R12 ceased in 1996, but existing R12 can still be reclaimed and purified.

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