Who remembers the last air conditioning change over? Actually I can remember my first conversion from R12 to R134a. I remember the parts department now carrying 2 types of refrigerant and anytime there was a repair made to the air conditioning system the vehicle needed to be retrofitted and the customer questioned this every time. I also remember crystal clear the look on my service managers face when he realized that he needed to buy a new air conditioning recovery machine to handle the new refrigerant. Who remembers in the early nineties a pound of R12 or R134a costing about sixty dollars in Freon alone?

At the shop we vaguely understood the need for change, however our customer did not. Now why do I have to retrofit my vehicle? Was a common question when selling the air conditioning repair and it wasn’t for several months until the mainstream customer understood there is a new refrigerant that is better for our environment.

It seemed last time this change came with no warning. Vehicles were suddenly equipped with the new R134a refrigerant and all the shops had to quickly adjust. In addition the customers were not as aware or understanding as they are now so during this transition our customers will be more knowledgeable.

According to the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) there are nine vehicles that are currently equipped with this refrigerant with more to come. They are the Cadillac XTS, Chevy Spark EV, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Honda Fit EV, Jeep Cherokee, Range Rover and range Rover Sport.

Just like on the last change over there will be some service issues such as a vehicle being recharged with the wrong refrigerant and some of the oils will not be compatible. So you will need to look at your product line and determine when you need to be ready to service the product. The new refrigerant R1234yf or “twelve-thirty-four” is not required until 2017 so we have some time to be aware and prepare by buying an additional machine to complete the evacuation and recharge and as our manufactures make the switch over to comply with the new greenhouse gas standards.