Alternative Refrigerants
HFO-1234yf(R-1234yf)
HFO-1234yf is a refrigerant being introduced
by many automobile manufacturers. There are
cars on the road today using this alternative.
HFO-1234yf is mildly flammable, but can be
used safely.
Carbon Dioxide (C02, R-744)
C02 is a high pressure refrigerant being
considered by automobile manufacturers.
C02 systems operate at 5 to 10 times higher
pressure than other MVAC systems.
HFC-152a(R-152a)
HFC-152a is a refrigerant that may be pursued
in the future. HFC-152a is flammable, but can
be used safely.
EPA's Ozone Layer Protection Website
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html
Learn More about CAA Section 609
and How to Become 609 Certified
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/
EPA's SNAP Program
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/
New Climate-Friendly
Motor Vehicle Air
Conditioning Refrigerants
Environmental Impacts of MVAC Refrigerants
Refrigerant
CFC-12
HFC-134a
HFC-152a
HFO-1234yf
C02 (R-744)
Global Warming
Potential (GWP)
10,900
1,430
124
4
1
Ozone Depleting?
Yes
No
No
No
No
*GWP values are from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007
430-F-13-041
September 2013
&EFA
Disclaimer: EPA does not endorse any particular
company or its products.
SEFft
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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Protecting the Ozone Layer
and Climate System
In the past your car was cooled by
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-12, a substance
that destroys the stratospheric ozone layer
that shields the Earth from the sun's harmful
ultraviolet radiation. Automobile manufacturers
transitioned to the non-ozone depleting alternative
hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-134a in the mid-1990s.
HFC-134a, like its predecessor, is a potent
greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Today, automobile manufacturers are beginning
the transition to new, climate-friendly alternative
refrigerants.
Section 609 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) establishes
requirements to prevent the release of refrigerant
during the servicing of motor vehicle air
conditioning (MVAC) systems through proper
servicing procedures.
EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)
Program ensures the smooth transition to
alternatives that pose lower overall risk to human
health and the environment. Under SNAP, EPA
recently listed three low global warming potential
(GWP) MVAC refrigerants as acceptable subject
to use conditions: hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-1234yf,
carbon dioxide, and HFC-152a. None of these
alternatives deplete the ozone layer and all have
significantly lower impacts to the climate system
thanCFC-12orHFC-134a.
In the United States and globally, many automobile
manufacturers are transitioning to these low GWP
alternatives. It is important for both consumers
and technicians to be aware of these alternative
refrigerants, their properties, and proper servicing
procedures.
Clean Air Act Requirements
AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW
• MVAC systems may only be serviced for consideration
(payment or bartering) by technicians trained and
certified under CAA Section 609.
• It is illegal for any person to knowingly release or vent
refrigerants (except C02) during service, maintenance,
repair and disposal. Such actions pose a risk to human
health and the environment.
• Technicians must use certified service equipment
designed for recovery only or recovery, recycling and
recharging of MVACs.
• MVAC systems, service equipment and containers
have unique fittings for each refrigerant to prevent the
dangerous mixing of refrigerants. An adapter should not
be used to convert a fitting.
• Refrigerant must be properly recycled before recharging
it into an MVAC system.
• Hydrocarbons are not approved for use in MVAC systems.
SAMPLE LABELS LOCATED UNDER VEHICLE HOOD
HFO-1234yf
Use Caution Refrigerant Type Flammable Requires Certification
Lubricant
Type
C02
Use Caution Refrigerant Type
Total
Charge
Amount
Relevant
Standards
Requires Certification
L
Lubricant
Type
Total
Charge
Amount
Relevant
Standards
Copyright © SAE International. Reprinted with permission.
MVAC Servicing Best Practices
SERVICING TIPS
• Locate and repair leaks before topping off a system.
Failing to repair leaks may result in MVAC system
damage or failure.
• Do not add more refrigerant than necessary. This
can cause system damage and decrease system
performance.
• Never mix refrigerants or use a refrigerant not
intended for an MVAC system. Mixing refrigerants,
even accidentally, can lead to higher than expected
system pressures, component and system damage,
diagnostic errors and hazards to human health and
the environment.
• Beware of contaminated refrigerants. Consider
purchasing certified refrigerant identification
equipment.
• Read and comply with all specifications on refrigerant
containers, vehicle manufacturers' manuals, and
lubricants.
• Do not replace system components with salvaged
parts, or parts from a system meant for another
refrigerant.
MAKE SAFETY A PRIORITY
• Review and practice safety procedures and use
protective equipment.
• When servicing MVACs, particularly systems with
HFO-1234yf and HFC-152a, avoid sparks or flames in
the work area.
• Wear safety glasses and insulated gloves, and avoid
direct contact of refrigerant with skin.
• Work in a well-ventilated area. Acute exposure to any
refrigerant can lead to harm to your personal safety
and health, including asphyxiation.
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