Types of A/C Refrigerant Explained

Since the 1950s, air conditioning systems have gone from expensive luxury add-ons to a standard inclusion on nearly every modern vehicle. It’s tough to imagine driving a vehicle throughout the summer without the ability to regulate the interior’s temperature.

While automotive A/C systems have generally operated in the same way since their introduction, the refrigerant fluid used in these systems has gone through a few major evolutions. In this article, we’ll go over what A/C refrigerant is, how it works, and the three varieties of refrigerant that have been seen industry-wide.

What Is A/C Refrigerant

A/C refrigerant is a specialized chemical substance used in air conditioning systems to produce the cool breeze we often take for granted. During the refrigeration cycle, refrigerant goes through various state-changes between liquid and gas as it absorbs heat from internal air and disperses it to the surroundings. 

Types of Refrigerant

R12

R12, also known by its brand name of Freon, was the original type of refrigerant used widely in the automotive industry. While Freon is still a common way to refer to any A/C refrigerant, the term specifically refers to this formulation. 

R12 became the worldwide standard for automotive air conditioning systems, and saw mass adoption by nearly every manufacturer. 

In the 1980s, studies began to link the main ingredient of R12 Freon, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), to damage in the ozone layer of the atmosphere. The chemicals in CFCs react with the ozone molecules in the stratosphere, causing this important protective layer to be gradually stripped away.

The international community took action in 1987 with the Montreal Protocol, which was a worldwide agreement to begin phasing out CFC-containing products such as certain aerosol propellents, electronic cleaners, and air conditioning refrigerant. 

By 1994, the Montreal Protocol had forced automakers to make the switch to the newer R134a refrigerant. While the vast majority of vehicles on the road no longer use R12, these old systems may still be found in models built prior to the switch.

It’s a good idea for vehicles that still run R12 refrigerant to have their systems retrofitted to accept R134a, as leaks in R12 systems may allow harmful CFCs to emit into the atmosphere. 

R134a

R134a emerged as a potential replacement for the old R12 standard in the 1990s, touting increased environmental safety as the CFC formulation had been replaced by a similar-performing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC). 

While HFCs do not react and degrade the ozone layer like it’s R12 predecessor, it was discovered that R134a still posed danger to the health of the atmosphere. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, R134a refrigerant is a “potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is 1,430 times that of CO2.”

Automakers have since begun to make the change to a new formulation of refrigerant. The European Union required automakers to have made the switch to R1234yf refrigerant as of 2017, while the United States required compliance by 2022. 

R1234yf

R1234yf is the most recent development in automotive refrigerants, and uses a hydrofluoric-olefin formulation rather than CFCs or HFCs. While most manufacturers have made this switch within the last five years, R1234yf systems can be found in some vehicles as early as the 2014 model year. 

This new refrigerant isn’t without its problems, however so far it seems to solve the major environmental concerns of its predecessors. For instance, R134a has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating of 1430, while R1234yf has a GWP of just 3. 

The only downside of this refrigerant currently is its price, as evacuation and recharge services tend to cost significantly more than that of a previous refrigerant. Luckily, unlike oil or coolant, A/C refrigerant is in a closed-system and only needs to be replaced if a leak allows refrigerant to exit. 

A/C Services in Easton, MA

If you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle’s A/C system, or are in need of a recharge, don’t hesitate to reach out to the air conditioning experts at Shoveltown Auto Service in Easton, Massachusetts! Our team has extensive experience in providing A/C maintenance and repair, no matter the type of refrigerant your vehicle takes. Give us a call or schedule online with us today!

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