R1234yf Refrigerant Standard Significantly Reduces Global Warming Potential

AC knob with A/C and circulate air lights illuminated

If you have a newer vehicle and have not had your A/C serviced yet, then you may not be aware of what type of refrigerant may be in the system. There is a new refrigerant standard called R1234yf that has been phasing out R134a over the course of the past several years, and has become the standard for production as of the 2021 model year. Most drivers only become aware their vehicle requires this new type of refrigerant when they notice the difference in price compared to the typical A/C service or recharge. As of right now, R1234yf is more expensive than R134a, and the price difference may come as a shock when receiving repair quotes. However, R1234yf is exponentially better for our environment in circumstances where it may be released into the atmosphere due to A/C system leaks or damage.
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How is R1234yf Different From R134a?

As far as cooling performance, both refrigerant types are actually very similar. The main difference between R134a and R1234yf is in the chemical structure. R134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant, and is composed of single-bonded hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. R1234yf is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant, which utilizes the same elements but also includes a set of double-bonded carbon atoms. This chemical structure allows R1234yf refrigerant to maintain a low GWP rating, and gives it a much shorter atmospheric lifetime. R1234yf is a significant upgrade in refrigerant emissions technology, which can help reduce the impact motor vehicle air conditioners (MVACs) have on our environment.


R1234yf refrigerant can

One of the main ratings used to measure refrigerant impact on the Greenhouse Effect is global warming potential or (GWP), which is the amount of heat absorbed while a gas is in the atmosphere. In the 1990's, R134a refrigerant was developed to replace R12, as R12 not only had an extremely high GWP (10,900), but was also linked to depletion of the ozone layer. By 1995, all new vehicles were required to come off the line with R134a-equipped systems due to its improved GWP of around 1430. This helped to minimize damage to the ozone layer, and was an important step in eco-friendly automotive practices. Now, with advances in refrigerant technology, automotive manufacturers have been transitioning to R1234yf, which has a dramatically lower GWP value, anywhere from 4 to less than 1, and reduces the amount of time the refrigerant is present in the atmosphere from years (R134a) to around 11 days (R1234yf).
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Which Cars Use R1234yf?

Automobile manufacturers have been moving forward with phasing out R134a for some time. As early as model year 2013-2014, General Motors started using R1234yf in select Cadillac and Chevrolet models. Other brands who also adopted R1234yf standards early included models from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, as well as some Range Rovers. By 2017 the list had grown significantly to include other major brands like Ford, Toyota, and Subaru. Now almost all newer model vehicles are being charged with R1234yf from the factory. R134a is still available to service older air conditioning systems still on the road, but to find a new vehicle with a factory equipped R134a A/C system is now a rarity. By model year 2021, all MVACs in newly-manufactured light-duty vehicles in the United States will be designed for R1234yf use.


Can You Convert a Vehicle's R12 or R134a A/C System to R1234yf?

No, this should never be attempted. While it may seem like a benefit for the environment, vehicles that were designed with R12 or R134a in mind are not equipped with the necessary safety components to handle R1234yf refrigerant. R1234yf is classified as a flammable refrigerant, and substituting a flammable refrigerant in an A/C system designed for non-flammable refrigerant types is not only potentially dangerous, but also illegal. Servicing R1234yf should only be performed by certified MACS professionals with the appropriate equipment and safety training.


If you need to upgrade an older vehicle from R12 to R134a, O'Reilly Auto Parts carries a variety of conversion kits and adapters for select models.


Follow this link for information on refrigerant substitutions for MVAC systems.


Can You Use R134a in a R1234yf System?

This is a common question due to the more expensive price of R1234yf refrigerant. First, auto manufacturers have taken steps to discourage this by designing the new R1234yf systems with specific service ports, caps, and special fittings. If you were to find an adapter, know that these 3rd party devices are not OEM-designed or recommended. But more importantly—due to the environmental effects—altering a vehicle's design in compliance with emission regulations is classified as tampering by the Clean Air Act which can result in hefty fines. There is also no official documented evidence on how using R134a in a R1234yf system may affect cooling performance and durability of the air conditioning components, so it's always best to use R1234yf refrigerant in vehicles designed with R123yf systems to maintain the life expectancy of your air conditioning system.


If you need to recharge or repair your vehicle's A/C system, O'Reilly Auto Parts carries all the top A/C maintenance and repair supplies for most vehicles. Check out all of our A/C products, including refrigerant and refrigerant oil and A/C replacement parts like compressors, condensers, and evaporators. Shop online or stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store and speak to one of our parts professionals today!