Advantages and Disadvantages

ADVANTAGES
Cost - R-134a is generally much cheaper than R-12 or any of the other alternative refrigerants currently available.

Environmentally Friendly - R-134a has been scientifically tested to be safe for the ozone.

Industry Wide Support and Service - Recycling and service equipment are widely available for R-134a systems.

Recyclable on Site - R-134a can be recycled on site using designated recycling equipment. If a refrigerant has been contaminated with an unknown blended alternative, the refrigerant can not be recycled on site.

Stable Mixture - R-134a is the only approved alternative which is not a blend of other refrigerants. R-134a does not separate or settle out providing for consistent operating characteristics.

Detectable - R-134a is detectable using current leak detection methods designed for R-12.


DISADVANTAGES
Less Efficient than CFC-12 - In systems originally designed for R-12, retrofitting with R-134a may produce less than satisfactory results. Using R-134a results in higher head pressures and higher compressor outlet temperatures. To provide satisfactory cooling performance a larger condenser or an additional cooling fan may be needed to remove the excess heat.

NOTE: In newer vehicles designed to use R-134a, cooling performance is similar to older R-12 equipped vehicles.

Higher Pressures - Higher head pressures may hasten the failure of an A/C compressor which is already severely worn.

Leakage - R-134a is made of molecules which are smaller than that of R-12. After retrofitting a R-12 system with R-134a, the smaller molecules combined with the higher operating pressure may result in leaks which were previously undetectable.

Retrofitting Cost - If retrofitting requires replacement of the condenser or compresssor, the total cost of the job may greatly exceed the cost of continued service with R-12.