What Is R134A?

Written By

Staff Writer

Alora Bopray is a digital content producer for the home warranty, HVAC, and plumbing categories at Today's Homeowner. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of St. Scholastica and her master's degree from the University of Denver. Before becoming a writer for Today's Homeowner, Alora wrote as a freelance writer for dozens of home improvement clients and informed homeowners about the solar industry as a writer for EcoWatch. When she's not writing, Alora can be found planning her next DIY home improvement project or plotting her next novel.

Reviewed By

Roxanne Downer

Reviewed By

Roxanne Downer

Editor

Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Today’s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. She’s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes & Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.

Published On

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023

R134a is also known as Tetrafluoroethane (CF3CH2F) from the family of HFC refrigerant. With the discovery of the damaging effect of CFCs and HCFCs refrigerants to the ozone layer, the HFC family of refrigerant has been widely used as their replacement.

It is now being used as a replacement for R-12 CFC refrigerant in the area of centrifugal, rotary screw, scroll and reciprocating compresssors. It is safe for normal handling as it is non-toxic, non-flammable and non-corrosive.

Currently it is also being widely used in the air conditioning system in newer automotive vehicles. The manufacturing industry use it in plastic foam blowing. Pharmaceuticals industry use it as a propellant.

It exists in gas form when expose to the environment as the boiling temperature is -14.9°F or -26.1°C.

This refrigerant is not 100% compatible with the lubricants and mineral-based refrigerant currently used in R-12. Design changes to the condenser and evaporator need to be done to use this refrigerant. The use of smaller hoses and 30% increase in control pressure regulations also have to be done to the system.

Properties of R-134a

No	Properties	R-134a
1	Boiling Point	-14.9°F or -26.1°C
2	Auto-Ignition Temperature	1418°F or 770°C
3	Ozone Depletion Level	0
4	Solubility In Water	0.11% by weight at 77°F or 25°C
5	Critical Temperature	252°F or 122°C
6	Cylinder Color Code	Light Blue
7	Global Warming Potential (GWP)	1200

Detection of Leaks

When you suspect a leak of R-134a in your air conditioning system, detection can be done by using one of the following 5 methods. The simplest method and cost effective is by the use of soap solution. Workshops may use more sophisticated equipments to do this.

Fluorescent Dyes
Soap Solution
Electronic Leak Detectors
Halogen selective detectors
Ultrasonic leak detectors

Latest Development

The recent discovery that R-134a contributes to global warming has caused the European Union to ban its use on new cars starting from year 2011. Other countries are expected to follow suit.