In the United States, vehicles produced after 2021 no longer contain R-134A in the air conditioning system. In other parts of the world, including the United States, there are restrictions around using 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
A High-Performing Alternative to R-134a
Opteon™ XL10 (R-1234yf) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting (ODP) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) option that meets the industry's growing demands for sustainable, safe, and effective solutions.
This group of synthetic refrigerants is not subject to a ban on use. This means that installations using R134a, R407C and R410A can simply be refilled after 2030. However, there will be significantly less synthetic refrigerant available in the future due to production limitations.
R134a has been found to have a lot of greenhouse gas potential, as it can end up in the atmosphere and take forever to break down. For that reason, all new vehicles sold in America after the year 2021 can no longer use this type of refrigerant.
The restriction of HFC-134a will occur under a broader prohibition of any substances with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) higher than 150 in the MVAC sector. HFC-134a will no longer be allowed in nonroad vehicles as of January 1, 2028.
In the United States, vehicles produced after 2021 no longer contain R-134A in the air conditioning system. In other parts of the world, including the United States, there are restrictions around using 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. Specifically, in California, retailers can deny selling customers canned R-134a.
Prohibitions in place in California, Colorado, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington. Prohibitions proposed in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, Vermont, and Virginia. See bans by region for details.
134a is banned for new LD vehicles in the U.S. as of October 2024. 134a production is being reduced by EPA [Environment Protection Agency] mandate for all HFCs in the U.S. 1234yf could possibly be caught up in PFAS bans in Europe and U.S. unless exemptions are made.
An AC leak will lead to warmer air from your vents over time. In most cases this can be fixed with a proven stop leak additive to seal up any leaks. When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone.
While R-1234yf could be the perfect replacement for R-134a, there is one major challenge with this new technology. The R-1234yf is much more reactive than R-134a. On the positive side, this higher reactivity is why R-1234yf is so much more friendly to the environment.
Still, the answer is an emphatic, “No.” Not only would a retrofit of this type negate the environmental benefits of R-1234yf, but it would also be a violation of Federal Law under Section 203 of the Clean Air Act: “tampering” with a vehicle's emissions control device.
Another HFC R-134a typically used in automobiles, will not be permitted to be used in Model Year 2021 vehicles; however, R-134a is not restricted for use in chillers. Even though HFCs are under scrutiny, they remain the right choice for chillers and other industrial cooling uses.
By 2024, ban on R134a refrigerants in chillers is confirmed. United States. Some refrigerants, including R134a, R410A and R407C, will be banned for use in new chillers in the United States as of January 1, 2024.
A Next-Generation R-134a Refrigerant Alternative
Opteon™ XP10 (R-513A) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting potential (ODP), low global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) based replacement for R-134a.
To protect the ozone layer and slow climate change, the EPA is phasing out all production of R-22 and other ozone-depleting substances — like HCFCs, CFCs, and Halons.
Hcfcs R134A Hydrocarbon Replace, Packaging Type: Cylinder at ₹ 190/piece in Mumbai.
One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs a Freon recharge is that your vehicle will be blowing warm air, even after your vehicle has been running for some time. If your refrigerant gets too low, there will simply not be enough “coolant” to cool the air as it is passed through your evaporator coil.
Freon™ 134a refrigerants are tested in Chemours laboratories that are ISO 9001 certified for their quality management system. The shelf life of Freon™ 134a is at least 10 years under normal storage conditions.
Your vehicle's air-conditioning not working is likely caused by a failing compressor or a freon leak. While these are the most obvious reasons for your air-conditioning not working inside your vehicle, it might be anything as simple as a bad belt or a dirty cabin air filter.
New Restrictions imposed by EPA as part of AIM Act: The AIM Act is a Federal nationwide rule phasing out the use of global warming materials. As part of that effort, EPA is now banning the use of 134a in aerosol products as of 1/1/2025. There are excepted products that are allowed to use 134a until 1/1/2028.
R513A was developed as a replacement refrigerant for R134a. R513A is a modern, non-flammable refrigerant designed to replace R134a in a wide range of applications. It provides a sustainable solution for both new systems and retrofits.
R-1234yf refrigerant. To date, most auto manufacturers are using the hydro fluoro olefin (HFO) refrigerant R-1234yf as the replacement of choice for R134a.
Possible alternatives to R-134a
Attention is increasingly focused on low-GWP refrigerants that are hydrofluoroolefins (HFO). R-1234yf in particular is often seen as a possible alternative to R-134a. The GWP value of R-1234yf is 4, which means it has a very low global warming potential.
Small cans of non-exempt MVAC refrigerant (i.e., containers designed to hold two pounds or less of refrigerant) that have unique fittings, and self-sealing valves can continue to be sold to persons without certification for DIY use on their vehicles.
Adapters to convert an R-134a manifold gauge set to be able to connect to an R-1234yf system are readily available, so along with eventual availability of a recovery-only machine, the opportunity to convert an R-134a system to R-1234yf exists.