What is 1234yf Refrigerant in a Car?

Modern vehicles have seen extensive innovation and change over time in the name of environmental concerns, from the inclusion of catalytic converters to the improvements in the efficiency of the engines themselves. One of these innovations that often goes unnoticed, however, is the type of refrigerant our vehicles use to keep the interior cool and comfortable on hot days.

Illuminated A/C dials on a Ford Fiesta

What is Refrigerant

Like the air conditioning units that provide our homes with cold air, automotive A/C systems use refrigerants to absorb and disperse heat. Throughout the loop of your air conditioning system, this gaseous fluid changes state between liquid and gas various times and creates a cooling reaction used to lower the temperature of the air being blown into the cabin.

Other Types of Refrigerant

Before the introduction of 1234yf refrigerant, two other formulations have been commonplace in the majority of vehicles over time.

R-12

R-12 refrigerant, better known by the DuPont trademark Freon (although the terms refrigerant and Freon are occasionally used interchangeably), was the refrigerant primarily used in vehicles produced before 1994. While cheap and effective, R-12 brought with it some unforeseen consequences. 

Freon contains chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC, which is better known for its presence in aerosol products in the late 1970s and the subsequent discovery of its ozone-depleting properties. While banned in many applications in 1978, CFC wouldn’t be completely phased out of refrigerants until it was comprehensively banned worldwide in 1996.

As the ozone layer protects the earth from damaging UV radiation, the depletion of this vital atmospheric layer led to increased environmental concerns and the eventual replacement of the R-12 standard for air conditioning. 

R-134a

As the replacement for R-12, R-134a would take over as the primary refrigerant choice in vehicles. Until about 2015, R134a was the clear choice for refrigerants as it was the more environmentally friendly option.

Though mitigating the initial ozone concerns, R-134a was also found to have harmful environmental effects, albeit much less so than its predecessor. With this knowledge, scientists worked to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant. R-134a has been regulated by world environmental authorities since 2016. 

What is R-1234yf/HFO-1234yf?

Over the past decade, the environmentally friendly 1234yf has been gradually adopted by automotive manufacturers as the new standard for refrigerants. Though 1234yf works similarly to its predecessors, the substance leaves virtually no trace within the atmosphere. While the atmospheric lifespan of R-134a is around 13 years, 1234yf lasts only 11 days up there. 

GM was the first to begin utilizing the new refrigerant in 2013, completing its full change-over to 1234yf in 2018. Chrysler, Subaru, Honda, and others followed suit in the coming years. Beginning on January 1st, 2021, the EPA mandated that all new vehicles must use the improved refrigerant. 

What Does it Mean For You?

While the switch to 1234yf is a beneficial one, you may be wondering what it means for you as a vehicle owner. 

For one, 1234yf is more energy-efficient as compared to R-134a according to the EPA, meaning your A/C system will have less impact on fuel economy. 

Perhaps the largest downside is the increased cost, as the production of 1234yf has yet to catch up to the others due to being a newer product. The going price for a pound of 1234yf refrigerant is about $100/lb. compared to around $10-$15/lb. for R-134a.

A/C Recharge & Service at Borst Automotive

No matter the refrigerant your vehicle needs, the ASE Certified technicians at Borst Automotive have the equipment and training to provide your A/C system with quality and cost-effective service! Get your A/C back to that crisp cold air you need this summer and schedule with our friendly team today at one of our five locations in Arizona.

Borst Automotive is here to help when you need it. Give us a call, schedule an appointment, or stop in today!