No, you should never mix R12 and R134a. Mixing these two refrigerants causes severe chemical and mechanical problems.
The oil in R134a is called Polyalkylene Glycol, it does not dissolve when mixed with R12. R12 uses mineral oil. Do not mix the two together.
You cant put r12 into an r134a system. Fittings won't be the same and the filter isn't rated for it. R12 systems can be converted to r134a but not the other way around. Rob Riley yeah we can't buy R12 or R134a but we can buy R12a.
No, you cannot just put R-134a into an R-12 system.
Mixing two different refrigerants creates an untested, unpredictable chemical blend. It alters boiling points and pressure levels. This typically causes the system to overwork, drastically reduces cooling efficiency, and can lead to severe compressor damage. Knowingly mixing refrigerants is also illegal under EPA regulations.
R12 (widely known as Freon-12) is no longer used because it is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that destroys the Earth's ozone layer. When R12 leaked and reached the stratosphere, ultraviolet radiation broke it down, releasing chlorine atoms that rapidly destroyed ozone molecules.
No, you should never mix R22 and 134a refrigerants. Doing so causes severe chemical and mechanical problems that will ruin the compressor and void equipment warranties.
Yes, you can still buy R-12 (Freon), but it is heavily regulated and quite expensive. Because R-12 harms the ozone layer, its production was banned in 1994, so all available supply comes from recycled/reclaimed stock or old "New Old Stock" (NOS) found in garages and estates.
Yes, R12 is generally more efficient at cooling than R134a. Pound for pound, R12 transfers heat better and operates at lower head pressures, meaning it cools faster and doesn't lose as much efficiency on extremely hot days.
R-134a officially replaced R-12 in automotive air conditioning systems following the 1994 model year, as automakers phased in the new refrigerant to comply with the federal ban on ozone-depleting chemicals. The production of R-12 was completely banned in the United States on January 1, 1996.
When finding an R12 compatible refrigerant, the best choice depends on whether you are doing a full system conversion (retrofitting) or looking for a direct "drop-in" substitute. Here are the primary options:
The "$5000 rule" is an HVAC industry rule-of-thumb to help you decide whether to repair or replace an aging air conditioner. It calculates the long-term value of a repair versus buying a new unit, ensuring you don't pour money into a system that is dying.
Federal regulations state that it is illegal to vent any refrigerant to the environment during repair, service, maintenance, recycling or disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. Refrigerants must be recovered during all service, repair, maintenance and disposal activities.
No, it is not illegal to own or use existing R-12 refrigerant, but its production and import were banned by the EPA in 1995 due to ozone depletion.
However, R134a is not a 'drop-in' replacement for R12 because there is a need to change the compressor lubricant and expansion valve. Changing over from R12 to R134a can therefore be an ex-pensive and time consuming procedure.
Adding R12 to an R134a system will cause severe chemical reactions, leading to compressor failure. It will damage internal rubber seals, ruin the compressor's lubrication, and create highly corrosive acidic byproducts. Mixing these refrigerants can also form a high-pressure, non-recyclable gas mixture.
Yes, it is strictly illegal to vent R1234yf into the atmosphere. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA prohibits the intentional release of virtually all motor vehicle refrigerants.
There is no perfect "drop-in" replacement for R-12 that operates identically without any system modifications. However, the most widely accepted and practical substitutes depend on whether you are willing to convert the system or if you need a direct pour-in replacement.
He said that a lot of people look to buy it and it could be well worth over $1000.
The HVAC industry is fully transitioning to next-generation A2L refrigerants, primarily R-454B and R-32. Driven by federal environmental mandates, these replacements drastically reduce the carbon footprint compared to older HFC types.
Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians certified under the Section 608 or Section 609 technician certification programs, where individuals may only purchase refrigerant consistent with the appliances covered by their certification.
A 30-pound cylinder of R-22 refrigerant is generally worth between $500 and $1,200 to purchase wholesale, and up to $2,400 to $4,500 if bought directly from a service company during a home repair.
Yes, you can still legally sell and install R-410A equipment in 2026. While the EPA banned the manufacturing of new R-410A residential split systems as of January 1, 2025, systems built before that date are legal to sell, purchase, and install.