Fluorinated gas refrigerants are powerful greenhouse gases. Alternatives, such as ammonia or captured carbon dioxide, can replace them over time.
Comments Section R600a is a replacement for 134a. It has a smaller molecular weight and can therefore allow an engineer to use a compressor with a lower displacement. It is flammable so engineering of the system requires the electronics and switching to be kept separate from the refrigerant piping.
Cooling Curtains: Dampen light, breathable curtains or bed sheets with cold water and hang them in front of open windows or doorways. As the breeze passes through the curtains, it will cool down the incoming air, reducing the indoor temperature.
Icy Coils. The evaporator coil is an important part of the AC system because it keeps the air cool. When you don't have enough refrigerant, the coils can develop a thin layer of ice. This weakens the system's efficiency and can damage the whole air conditioner.
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.
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.
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.
Besides fluorocarbons, other refrigerant gases include ammonia, carbon dioxide, and propane.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has since added R-134A to its list of greenhouse gases, declaring definitively that this refrigerant is a poor choice for the future of the planet and its inhabitants.
As Freon was phased out, new HVAC systems began using a refrigerant known as Puron® or R-410A, an HFC. More efficient and less harmful to the environment, R-410A has been in use since its introduction in 1996 and is found in most of today's modern HVAC systems.
Systems installed in 2010 or before likely have R-22 refrigerant. Systems installed between 2010 and 2023 probably use R-410A, Puron, or an equivalent, non-ozone depleting refrigerant. If your system was installed in 2024 or beyond, it will likely use Puron Advance, also known as R-454B.
Also, substitutions are often not without problems. For example, when replacing R22 with R134a, there are many problems that cannot be replaced directly; the cooling power of R134a is 60% lower than that of R22, which means that the condenser of the system must work overtime to achieve the same cooling capacity.
R-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane), also known as R22 Freon or HCFC-22 Freon, was a common refrigerant for HVAC systems. It is now a banned refrigerant that is illegal to import or manufacture.
Propane (R290) and propylene (R1270) have normal boiling points below –40oC and are therefore suitable for general refrigeration applications. Butane (R600) and isobutane (R600a) have much higher boiling points but they also have high critical temperatures, which tends to make them very efficient in operation.
Basically, you can use almost anything for a refrigerant, but the specifics of the system will affect the best choice, as well as environmental concerns (why we ditched R11 and R12, when they both perform better than R134a in the desired range).
R1234yf was chosen to replace R134a in all new cars by 2021. Some manufacturers have already made the switch, or the switch is in progress. In fact, as of 2018, 70% of new Kia cars already come equipped with R1234yf!
As part of global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of refrigerants, R134a will be phased out by 2025 in favor of more eco-friendly alternatives like R290 and R1234yf12.
With the scientific approach to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of the refrigerant R-134A (i.e. 1430), the refrigerant R-513A with GWP of 631 is the drop-in replacement.
According to its manufacturer, Chemours, use of R-1234yf has grown so much since the refrigerant replaced the long-established R-134a that it's now used in 95% of new cars sold in the U.S. An estimated 220 million cars on global roads are also using it.
Under EPA regulations, only a certified professional can recharge your home's HVAC system.
Create cross ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of the house to promote air circulation. Close curtains, blinds, or shades during the hottest parts of the day to block out direct sunlight and heat. Utilize exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove hot air and humidity from these spaces.
By utilizing insulation techniques such as sealing windows and doors, insulating AC ducts, and using reflective window film, you can optimize the performance of your portable air conditioner and create a cooler and more comfortable environment.