R-134a entirely dominated the automotive market by 1994. Very few DIY-ers have recovery equipment (I dont), so you need to take the car to a shop that does, and fewer and fewer shops keep and maintain R12-recovery equipment. Meanwhile, the R-134a gas has a COP of 4.62, which is lower than the other two gases. Hand in hand with this is the global warming potential (GWP), which measures the gass potential as a greenhouse gas. Nevertheless, repeat after me: It is illegal to vent refrigerant. This chemical is an excellent refrigerant liquid. This means that when exposed to the environment, it exists as a gas. Sponsored. Any old black o-rings should be replaced with R134a-compliant green o-rings. Nevertheless, if your application is configured only for R12, then you can use it or consider replacing the applications engine. Difference Between R-134a and R-410A Refrigerants? Problem solved, right? R134a is called tetrafluoroethane (HFC). The first vehicle that used the R1234yf refrigerant was the 2013 Cadillac XTS. The ODP of a chemical is a factor that indicates the amount of degradation itll cause to the ozone layer that surrounds the earth and protects it from harmful radiation. Pressure Temperature Table If it is adjustable there will be an adjustment screw between the two terminals. EPA is authorized to assess fines of up to $37,500 per day for any violation of these regulations.. Environmental Impact: When R134a escapes into the atmosphere, it contributes to global warming. I can tell you that R12 is some seriously great refrigerant; it gets both of these cars meat-locker cold almost from the instant the A/C is turned on. In the last 10 years, new information has shown that this gas contributes to global warming. The flammables have hydrocarbons. Theres one type of oil that will work with both refrigerants. There is R744, which is literally carbon dioxide (CO2). Rob Siegel has been writing the column The Hack Mechanic for BMW CCA Roundel magazine for 30 years. Both of these products are refrigerants. Chemistry. 3.5" Backlit Display & Visual Refrigerant Filling Window & High Strength MaterialHVAC digital manifold gauge set adopts 3.5-inch backlight display design,the data is easy to read,and each test result is divided by lines on the screen,the data is more intuitive.HVAC digital gauges is made of high-strength engineering plastic,with anti-slip We mention using ester type refrigerant oil. Many older automotive systems still use R12, and as youre still able to purchase individual small cans of this refrigerant via on-line marketplaces, its use in many classic motor vehicles will likely continue. These properties make it popular for domestic and commercial refrigeration. Because of this products greenhouse gas attributes, its manufacture has been banned in the European Union since 2011, and motor manufacturers stopped using it in motor vehicle air conditioning at that time. The most common influences which effect the capability of R134a to perform well are the condenser, in some cases the the superheat setting of the expansion valve or the amount of R134a. His new book, Just Needs a Recharge: The Hack Mechanic Guide to Vintage Air Conditioning, is now available on Amazon. However, you can convert R12 to R134a by yourself, save money and keep all the tools purchased. R12 is a powerful ozone depleted, while R134a and R1234yf are not. So when someone says, You cant get R12 anymore, or Its illegal to use R12, those things simply arent true. Its possible to convert from R12 to R134a without replacing the systems components, so when R134a was brought out, it seems to be a good match to many automotive air conditioning issues. R134a was developed to replace R12, so it works over the same range of applications. If youre resurrecting the A/C in a vintage car, the vast majority of the time the refrigerant has long since leaked out, but if your car has refrigerant in it, and you need to open up the A/C system to work on it, spend a little money and take the car to an A/C shop. You confirmed my decisions in one elegant post (as opposed to the 60-odd hours of blog post readings and YouTube videos). With the knowledge of the differences, youll be able to draw a comparison between R12 vs R134a efficiency. R134a is used in many applications such as: Although this type is better than R12, using this kind of refrigerant also has some problems associated with it. If an A/C system isnt working, the root cause needs to be diagnosed, and the system needs to be fixed. I wouldnt say Im a BMW enthusiast. Even if youre OK with that, if the system needs work, any refrigerant in it will need to be recovered. The system will accumulate a type of acidic sludge that will eventually destroy the system. As this product is highly damaging to the environment, the environmental treaty signed in Montreal in 1987 stopped the use of CFC refrigerants, which included R12. Further production of R12 was banned in some developed countries by the Montreal Protocol because of its harsh effect on the ozone layer. A gentleman in Canada was very interested until he learned about the R12. That makes it safe in terms of safety to use. A final difference is that most (though not all) R-1234yf cars will have a Suction Line Heat Exchanger. R12 has an ODP of 1, meaning that it has the highest potential to destroy the ozone layer. R12 is well known as a refrigerant used in many applications as its non-toxic, non-explosive, and non-flammable. Swapping the components isnt a herculean task, but recharging the AC is a challenge. With that said, Ill agree that the flammability issue may not be as black-and-white as it appears. This means that the mineral oil in the system wont dissolve. Since you cant vent any refrigerant without breaking the law, and since youll be hard-pressed to find a shop that will recover anything other than R134a, youll have painted yourself into a corner. Most importantly, the oil used in the plant must always be compatible with the refrigerant used. R134a has a GWP of 1430. Before we mentioned that you can add approximately 5-6 ounces of ester oil to the compressor. 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. 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. We have the best A/C Manifold Gauge Set and Components for the right price. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. The major difference between these two refrigerants is their chemical composition. Because of this, in the early 1930s, a new refrigerant based on a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), specifically dichlorodifluoromethane, was developed. R12 uses mineral oil, but R134a wont dissolve in mineral oil. The boiling point of R134a is -15.34F (-26.3C.) R12 and R134a are older types of refrigerants that are considered to be dangerous to the environment today. I was recently selling a beautiful 1987 BMW 325is with cold R12-based A/C. Hot spot auto parts .ca sells R12a for about $10/can and a $10 ALL IN ONE can with oil. If you use anything other than R134a, youll likely create a situation where you must be the one servicing the system. Ed. Merely an emerging auto hacker. Most countries frown on the use of these gasses due to their environmental impact. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Therefore, its most suitable for both commercial and domestic environments. In addition, there is a $10,000 rat-out fee your neighbor can collect if youre venting refrigerant and he tattles on you. 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). R12 is miscible with mineral oil under any operating condition. The manufacture and sale of the small cans of R12 used by hobbyists to top off a system also ended, although New Old Stock (NOS) cans of R12 are still privately traded on eBay and Craigslist (Ill come back to that). R134a and R12 are among the most popular types of refrigerants. You either get a system that will function well with R1234yf or get any other type. It became known as R12 or Freon. In fact, R12 was used for many years as a propellant in a variety of aerosol products and sprayed directly into the air, and it is closely related to the halon used in fire extinguishers. On the high side, R134a pressure runs about 10% higher pressure than R12 at equivalent temperatures. Theyve moved away from using R12 in favor of more modern, environmentally safer products. The alternator, sometimes called a generator, generates electricity to charge the battery and power all the electric auxiliaries while driving. I think that, with hindsight, many people would agree that, even given that R12 is an ozone-destroying agent, fines of this level made many hard-working A/C technicians hostile to the government, and thus were counterproductive. R12s ODP is 1 (the highest rating). R134a is a newer type of refrigerant that has some significant advantages. 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. 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. R134a belongs to the family of HFCs or hydrofluorocarbons. Note that I am not advocating taking the exam and getting the EPA 609 certification simply so you can legally buy R12; Im just stating what the law appears to be. The major difference between these two refrigerants is their chemical composition. Generally the system will be initially charged with approximately 80% to 85% of the original amount of R12, using R134a. In addition to this, federal laws prohibit the topping up of an R12 system with R134a and vice versa. As these two products essentially do the same job, there are many similarities between the two refrigerants. R134a is safe to use as its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. rate between the temperature range of -40 C and -10 C is R134a liquid's, while the lowest is the R1270's. Having a low mass flow rate with in the system is a parameter that reduces the cost of operating. A comparison between R12 vs. R134a temperature will show that R12 has a higher temperature than R134a. The service ports in both systems are quick-connect, but they are taller in the yf systems to avoid cross-contamination. The exact amount will vary with each car. He passed. This means that its classified as a greenhouse gas and will add to the current problems of heat not escaping the earths atmosphere. The two systems use different fittings. The weight is only 2.4 ounces. Skin contact: If the R134a (liquid) comes in contact with your skin, it could cause a burn. All in all, I'm very happy with the results and see no reason why they won't last. To ensure the right charge, you must fill the new system with between 75 and 85% of the factory-set capacity for optimal cooling. 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. 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. Existing technology: R134a has been in use in the refrigeration industry for very many years, and theres so much information about the safe use of the product. Unfortunately, converting existing air conditioners that use R22 to use new refrigerants isnt easy. Do a pre-inspection and then Evacuate (vacuum down) the system, the longer the evacuation the better but there is a point of diminishing return, 2-3 hours is generally very good. Many existing fridges and air conditioning units still use this refrigerant and work very efficiently. Its chemical name is dichlorodifluoromethane, and its chemical formula is CCl2F2. Which brings us to. R134a was touted as the replacement for R12 until it too was deemed environmentally undesirable. A/C professionals derisively called these death kits because they had a reputation for causing the compressor to seize a few months later. All refrigeration plants use compressors to compress the gas returning from collecting heat, raise its temperature further, and compress it to facilitate cooling. R134a is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent as well. R134a is a greenhouse gas, while R1234yf has a lower global warming . However, take note that R134a refrigerants are manufactured specifically for automotive air conditioners. 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. Part # LX-14. Santech R12 to R134a Coupler Conversion Kit. These applications will - due to browser restrictions - send data between your browser and our server. This is measured using a factor known as ODP (ozone depletion potential). With a tight modernized system thatll accept either refrigerant, you should then consider where and how the system will be operated. This means that this compound is made up of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. This would become an expensive investment for a repair or service station to have unique dedicated equipment for every type of alternative refrigerant. When the sensor detects the refrigerant leak the sniffers lights glow and the sniffer makes a noise. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the . Country of Origin: United States Hi, this is my first post, so please take it easy on the noob. R134a vs R12 refrigerant? In Stock. Both claims are demonstrably untrue. These two refrigerants are the older types and are not used in newer refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Both of these compounds have similar cooling properties. The typical scenario here is when the car owner buys an inexpensive retro-fit kit from the local auto parts store. As Ive said, R12 is a nasty ozone-destroying chemical and should never be released to the environment under any circumstances, so in addition to being illegal to vent it, you have a moral obligation not to vent it. That doesnt mean to say that theyre no longer used. What is usually sniffed are all the connections in the system: hoses and compressor, condenser, drier, expansion valve and evaporator fittings. 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. Attach the R134a charge port adaptors, there are two types.. one of which you need to remove the old R12 valve cores. 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 is the most commonly used refrigerant to convert automotive air conditioning away from the destructive R12. Refrigerant: Must be EPA-approved and cannot be intentionally released (vented) into the environment. However, you need calibrated gauges for R410A. Its often said that buying or selling R12 is illegal. In air conditioning units installed in motor vehicles, the systems increased running time results in increased fuel usage. Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 20. Another way to check is to look at the air conditioning connectors. SureBilt R-134a High and Low Side Service Port Repair Kit $ 5. However, leaks do occur. But the problem with R12 is twofold. The safe high side pressures are determined with a PT (pressures and temperatures) chart. Tiny amounts of oil will inevitably find their way into the stream of gas. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. At this point it is time to make an appointment with the a/c shop. 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. In todays world, the combination of its ozone-depleting ability and its contribution to global warming makes this product a major issue for many countries. Its highest value is 1. With R12 you use to check to see if the site glass was full, if it had bubbles it meant you had a low charge. R12 systems use screw-on connectors, while R134a systems use push-on connectors similar to those used in air tools. To prevent refrigerant loss you should consider replacing your old hose lines with barrier type hose. Its chemical symbol is CCl2F2. Just leave it alone for now. Instead, top off R12 with R134a refrigerant. Its among the greenhouse gases and will keep adding the current problem of heat not leaving the earths atmosphere. And by matching the correct amount of R134a to use in a given vehicle, correcting the superheat of the expansion valve (if necessary), you can in some manner nearly balance or match the amount of heat drawn out by the evaporator and released by the condenser. 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. 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 can be very very expensive. 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). R-12 and R-134a use different size fittings in order to avoid mixing the two types of refrigerant. . The symbol implies that R12 is a composite of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. Technicians must capture and recycle R134a safely, and the gas must be disposed of by following the EPA guidelines. There are other EPA-approved refrigerants such as Hot Shot and Freeze 12, which you can find here. Generally this works well for the whole system. However, the operating pressures are reportedly four times those of other refrigerants, so retrofit appears out of the question. Energy usage: R134a is less efficient in cooling compared to R12. Only licensed air conditioning companies and technicians may purchase this refrigerant. This product is safe to use in that its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. We learned the theory behind refrigeration and air conditioning, which centers on this wonderfully useful bit of physics: When liquid boils and evaporates into a gas, it expands and cools. They might say for instance, add 3-4 oz of oil to the compressor, 1 oz of oil for when you replace a drier, 2 oz oil for the evaporator and so on. While R513A is a viable option for new and existing equipment, it is not a "drop- in" replacement for R12 or R134a. R134a refrigerant is lighter than R12. Reattach the hose lines using new R134a compatible o-rings, lightly lubricate with compressor oil. These are the major reasons that this product is now banned in many countries and replaced by other refrigerants that dont have such a serious environmental impact. R12 connectors were of the screw type, while R134a has push-on connectors similar to air tools. 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. These guidelines are strictly enforced, and contravention of them can lead to severe penalties being imposed. R12 has a GWP of 10,910, so its effect on global warming is over 10,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. However, R134a is better than R12. In a comparison between R12 vs R134a vs R1234yf, R1234yf will pass as the best refrigerant. However, theyre still used in older plants, systems, and the automotive industry. R134a is a pure refrigerant that is sometimes used in blends, while R410a is itself a blend. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. For example, if your system originally had 36 ounces of R12 then you multiply that by .80 and you have 29 ounce of R134a. Lets have a closer look at these similarities and differences. You should keep in mind that recharging your air conditioner improperly could result in more serious damage. Its likely that these plants, which will be expensive to convert, will continue to use R12 with careful maintenance. 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. You can look up the law yourself at www.epa.gov/mvac, but basically it boils down to three things. R12, on the other hand, is called chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). This means that the oil used in the system must be compatible with the refrigerant in use. We, the Rxmechanic team, have presented a well-detailed comparison of R134a vs. R12. Each has its own cult following and requires its own EPA-approved charging fittings. Its been labeled as a greenhouse gas, and its use is no longer supported. It belongs to a class of chemicals known as HFCs, and they dont contain chlorine, so R134a doesnt damage the ozone layer. Its legal to own either of these gasses, but its illegal to vent them into the air. 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. R134a can easily go between liquid and vapor states as with other refrigerants. It is also used in automotive car conditioning and the plastic industry. You do not want to exceed the systems high side recommendations. Its still one of the most efficient at cooling, but the destructive effects on the ozone layer and its very high global warming potential have made this environmentally an unwise choice. 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. For all of these reasons, the issues of conversion and performance need to be cleanly separated. Compatible with multiple applications: The major reason for the introduction of R134a was to replace R12, so it functions perfectly in the same range of applications like rotary, screw, and centrifugal compressors for air conditioning and refrigeration. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. Heres some important advice Whenever you notice your R12 refrigerant is leaking, turn off all flames and open the doors so it can escape to the open atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is deemed to have a value of 1, so the higher the compounds factor, the greater its effect on global warming. If youre still uncertain, go to a trained technician wholl tell you what refrigeration you have. Small NOS cans of R12 are widely available on eBay and Craigslist for about $30 apiece. Once you take these precautions, it would be possible to use R134A gauges R410A systems seamlessly. Because the two oils were different, R134a certainly wasnt a drop-in replacement for R12. Typically 5 to 6 ounces of a/c oil is adequate but this may vary depending upon the car. This can significantly affect energy consumption as the plant will operate for longer, or a larger plant will have to be installed. Hence, the effect of R12 on global warming is up to 10,000 times higher than carbon dioxide. (To be clear, both cars also have a new rotary-style compressor and a big parallel-flow condenser and fan.). R12 and R134a are older generation refrigerants that are no longer produced nor imported into the USA. These guidelines are offered tohelp understand the differences . 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. If he is not in the garage fixing challenging mechanical problems, he is writing automotive repair guides, buyers guides, and car and tools comparisons. It is a haloalkane and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant that has thermodynamic properties, potential global warming for one hundred years, and insignificant ozone depletion. 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. On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. R134a won't provide the same level of cooling as R12, though. 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. And that brings us to, I continue to use R12 in two of my carsmy 1972 BMW 2002tii and 1973 Bavaria. As you probably know, matter can exist in three statessolid, liquid, and gas. 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). They frame it as a replacement for R134a in cars and other vehicles. This gas is then cooled via environmental means, and the gas slowly loses heat and reverts to a liquid state. This means that this compound is made up of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. These properties make it very attractive for domestic, commercial, and automotive refrigeration and air conditioning. The advantage of ester oil is that it works with both R12 as well as R134a, so you can fill the system with it and then use either refrigerant.Sha. The compressors used by refrigeration plants to compress gas require oil to help lubricate its moving parts. When ever possible you should ask the technician to note the same information on your repair bill and keep a copy in your glove box for future reference. You might find that the system doesn't get as cool even after properly charging it. Stay on the right side of the law, the environment, and your conscience, and dont vent refrigerant. In addition to the low boiling point, there are two other de facto requirements for refrigerant: It shouldnt be poisonous, and it shouldnt be flammable. Failure to abide by the EPA regulations can result in expensive fines for either you or your service technician. We recently created this blog site to enable us to share our knowledge with other automotive mechanics and car owners. Anyway on the low side R134a runs about 2 psi lower than R12 at equivalent temperatures. Hopefully after you have read this entire page you will have enough information to determine which type of refrigerant is best for you. A set of R134a-specific charging port adapters should be installed to eliminate the possibility of refrigerant cross-contamination. In more serious, it could result in cardiac irregularities or death. 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 . This makes it expensive to purchase and adds to the attraction of replacing it with other greener products. 2021 Complete Guide. If your car was produced after 1994, it likely has R134a used as the refrigerant. It only works with 134a refrigerant. Miscibility with oil: R12 can be mixed with the compressor oil no matter the operating condition. There should also be a blue sticker somewhere on the system telling you the date the system was converted. Hope this helps Reply 10-10-2020, 01:12 PM #4 Chris Stritchko R134a has a boiling point of -14.9 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas R410 boils at -61.9 degrees. 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.
