R1234yf Air Conditioning Systems
Car manufacturers are being forced to change the refrigerant used in the air conditioning system over the next few years. The EU has decided that the refrigerant used for the past 20 years is less environmentally friendly than a refrigerant with a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP). Initially the response was to use carbon dioxide gas (CO2) to cool the car. This is actually possible but resulted in very poor results in areas where the temperature is high, like the Sahara – exactly the sort of place where AC is required. This would result in more fuel being used to cool the car – not exactly what we would want nor would that be very environmentally desirable.
Costs Involved with Servicing R1234yf Systems
- Example 1 - 650G System
- Initial system vacuum recovers 380g of gas, rest has been lost over time due to natural evaporation. After pressure testing we replace the 380g and top up with a further 270g add the dye and oil and check for correct operation.
- Charges
- Gas 270g @.30p = 81.00
- Service Charge 35.00 (same price every time, this includes labour, oil & dye required)
- Total £116+vat = £139.20
- Re-gas & Service
- As explained above the new R1234yf gas is extremely expensive compared to R134a, we have provided two examples to try and explain the cost involved in servicing the system.
- Selling price of gas currently £0.30 p/g (this will fluctuate with season and availability, correct as of 03.15).
- The amount of R1234yf Gas in new vehicles range from 350g (Small Car) to 1500g (Luxury / 4x4).
- Example 2 - 650G System
- Initial system vacuum recovers no gas as car had a leak and a new pipe had to be fitted. After pressure testing we fill the system with 650g of gas add the dye and oil and check for correct operation.
- Charges
- Gas 650g @.30p = 195.00
- Service Charge 35.00 (same price every time, this includes labour, oil & dye required)
- Total £230+vat =£276
More Information
HFO-1234yf (pronounced as twelve, thirty-four y f) is the refrigerant chosen to achieve this object. Originally planned to start in 2011 the start date was delayed for 2 years because the supplies of this refrigerant were so restricted. Supplies of this R1234yf are now available but it is extremely expensive. Although expected to reduce in price eventually it is forecast to always be much more expensive than the existing refrigerant R134a. There is no requirement to convert cars built to run on R134a to use this new refrigerant, they may legally be recharged with R134a for the foreseeable future.
The only cars which must use this new refrigerant as at November 2013 are those completely re-designed since 2011 but by 2017 every new car must use this new refrigerant and if originally built for R1234yf must only ever be recharged with that refrigerant, by law.
Body shops that repair vehicles with R1234yf must ensure that the refrigerant in the AC system is carefully recovered before repairs to the AC system can be made and then accurately replaced so that on return to the owner the AC works as before.The HFO means that it is a Hydrofluoroolefin. If you want to win a pub quiz, it is 2,3,3,3,Tetrafluoropropene, A complicated chemical. This HFO1234yf has been very controversial so far. All refrigerants have advantages and disadvantages and the trick is to achieve an acceptable balance. Usually it a question of balancing the efficiency and safety against the environmental acceptability. Some very efficient refrigerants with a low GWP are very flammable. R12 and R134a had similar boiling points, were not flammable at all, were extremely efficient but had environmental concerns. HFO1234yf has a low GWP and works like R134a but is very slightly flammable and this concerned some German car manufacturers, In March 2014 the EU’s Joint Research Centre issued a statement that they were satisfied that there was no serious risk with the use of this refrigerant under normal conditions.
Coverage
Based in central Rotherham, we cover all surrounding areas including Sheffield, Worksop, Doncaster & Chesterfield (some travel charges may apply for outlying areas). Air Conditioning Services can be done in our workshop, at your home or place of work.
Contact Us
For further details or to book your R1234yf service contact;
Mike Lambley: 07973 390253 / 01709 365032
