What is the equivalent gas to R12?

Author: Penelope Hamill  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

You may be aware that R134a was commercialized and sold as a replacement for use on R12 type systems. R12 was determined to contribute to depletion of ozone in the earth's upper atmosphere.

What gas can I substitute for R12?

As R12 is now being finally phased out, older refrigeration machines need an alternative. Whatever you do, DO NOT USE R-134a in a R12 System! Instead, use a Propane + Isobutane combination, also known as 12a or HC-12a. 12a is also non-ozone depleting, and directly compatible with R-12's compressor oils. Sin.

What can I replace R12 refrigerant with?

RS-24 also provides a long term solution to replacing R12 in most applications such as hermetic and semi-hermetic systems, domestic refrigerators, refrigerated transport, cold stores, cellar cooling, dairy chillers, vending machines and including mobile air conditioning.

Is R-134a a drop-in replacement for R12?

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.

Can I put R-134a in a R12 system?

As previously stated, R12 systems usually use mineral oil, which is incompatible with R134a. When R134a comes into contact with mineral oil, it can hinder the oil from returning to the compressor, or possibly reduce heat transfer.

Using Propane instead of R12?

Can you still buy R12 refrigerant?

Limited quantities of reclaimed R-12 is still available for service of installed equipment. A wide variety of R-12 retrofit blends are available.

How much R-134a to replace R12?

R12 to R134a Charge Conversion Formula (pounds only)

Take the R12 charge specification and multiply it by 0.9. Then, subtract that result by 0.25 pounds to get the proper amount of R134a charge.

Is R12 illegal?

While the production of new R12 is banned, it is not illegal to sell or use R12. In fact, many of the cylinders and cans of Freon R12 sold for decades throughout the United States are still around today.

Can R12A and R134a be mixed?

In most cases, mixing different types of refrigerants is illegal. Mechanically, adding R-12a to an R-134a system won't harm anything. R-12a is a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant. It's mostly propane & butane, so highly flammable.

When was R134a banned?

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.

Which gas can R12 component?

Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) is a colorless gas popularly known by the genericized brand name Freon (as Freon-12). It is a chlorofluorocarbon halomethane (CFC) used as a refrigerant and aerosol spray propellant.

Can you replace R12 with propane?

Propane makes a good substitute for R12 with very little modifications.

Is R12 and R-22 interchangeable?

Just buy some r12 on ebay if you aren't wanting newer refrigerant. As Rich said positively DO NOT use R22. R22 is quite valuable right now so that 20lb is worth some jingle. R-22 and R-12 are not interchangeable .

What can you replace R12 with?

RS-24 is a “Drop-in” alternative for R12 which also provides a long term solution at the same time. It provides, therefore, a one change solution to the replacement of R12 at minimal expense.

Can I use R600a instead of R12?

R600a is a good replacement for R12

However its smaller volumetric capacity and higher pressure ratios, limit it to very small capacities. With regard to R600a, it has a lower molecular weight, 58.1 kg/kmol in comparison to R134a, 102 kg/kmol, which results in a lower charge for Isobutane.

What refrigerant has replaced R12 in automotive systems?

Automotive service technicians depend on Freon™ 134a (R-134a) refrigerant, a non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for R-12. Freon™ 134a is the standard in many mobile air conditioning (AC) units, and also replaces R-12 in: Commercial stationary refrigeration systems.

Is 12a the same as R12?

No retrofitting needed. RED TEK 12a is designed as a direct drop-in replacement for R-134a and R-12 substitutes.

What blended refrigerant is used as a replacement for R12?

An HCFC Replacement Refrigerant for R-12

Freon™ 409A carries an ASHRAE A1 safety classification and blends R-22, R-142b, and R-124. It can be used in medium- and low-temperature positive displacement equipment.

Can I mix minus 30 with R134a?

You can use your normal equipment; Minus 30 is suitable for all systems. It doesn't matter whether it is an old R12 system, or a new R134a system, Minus 30 is compatible with all oils, O Rings, Seals and Gaskets.

Can you still find R12?

While it can no longer be manufactured, there is a surprising amount of Freon still available as new old stock (NOS).

Is R12 toxic to humans?

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Colorless, volatile liquid with ethereal and faint sweetish odor. Non-flammable material. Overexposure may cause dizziness and loss of concentration. At higher levels, CNS depression and cardiac arrhythmia may result from exposure.

Where can I get R12 Freon?

You can usually find cans on Ebay. However, to handle it legally (in the US) you need an EPA 609 certification, which you can get at EPATest.com for $20. R12 manufacture was banned in the US in 1994, as it's not very planet-friendly, so it's getting more expensive.

Does AutoZone sell R12 refrigerant?

Or, if you'd like to tackle the job yourself, AutoZone has all the tools and refrigerant to service your R-134A or R-12 vehicle.

Can I sell R12 refrigerant?

A very frequent question people ask us is whether it is legal to sell R12 refrigerant. The answer is yes – but not to just anybody. It is only possible to sell Freon, R-12 or any other CFC to EPA-certified technicians, like the experts at Refrigerant Finders.

How many 12 oz cans of Freon make a pound?

Weighing in at a 14.7 grams per can, you will need 32 cans per pound. That is a source quote.

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