Refrigerant gases

Vehicle air conditioning systems use different types of refrigerant gases to cool the air inside the car. Here are some of the most commonly used refrigerant gases in automotive air conditioning systems, although their use may vary depending on environmental regulations and the vehicle’s manufacturing year:

R-134a: This is one of the most commonly used refrigerant gases in vehicles since the 1990s. It replaced R-12 (chlorofluorocarbon) due to its lower impact on the ozone layer. R-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC).

R-1234yf: This refrigerant gas was developed to gradually replace R-134a due to its lower environmental impact. It also belongs to the HFC family.

R-12: Although it is now banned in many countries due to its impact on the ozone layer, R-12 was once widely used in vehicle air conditioning systems. It was a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC).

R-410A: While less common in vehicles, R-410A is used in residential and commercial air conditioning systems. It is an HFC with better energy efficiency than R-22, another refrigerant commonly used in residential air conditioning systems but being phased out due to its environmental impact.

R-744 (CO2): In some newer vehicles and air conditioning systems, carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as a refrigerant gas. It is considered environmentally friendly because it does not contribute to ozone depletion and has a very low global warming potential (GWP).

It is essential to note that the use of refrigerant gases in air conditioning systems is subject to strict environmental regulations, including the recovery and recycling of used refrigerant gases. Mechanics and air conditioning technicians must be certified to handle these gases safely and in compliance with environmental standards. Vehicle owners should also ensure that their air conditioning systems are serviced responsibly to prevent leaks of refrigerant gases that could be harmful to the environment.