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AC History

 

Early automotive air conditioning systems started cropping up in the mid-20th century. Today, nearly all new vehicles offer air conditioning as standard, or at least make it available. Few can imagine driving without it.

 

Before 1995, the refrigerant of choice was dichlorodifluoromethane, an odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic and nonflammable gas also known as freon. This refrigerant remained popular until it was found to be damaging to the planet’s protective ozone layer.

Back in the lab, a new refrigerant was developed, tetrafluoroethane. Also known as R134a or HFC134a, it was the new standard by 1994, due to its insignificant ozone depletion potential and slightly lower global warming potential than freon, according to the EPA.

However, by the 2000s, researchers discovered that R134a does, in fact, contribute to global warming, according to the EPA. So it was back to the lab once again.

 

Introducing 1234yf Refrigerant

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As R134a is being phased out of the auto industry, you may have heard of the improved version of tetrafluoroethane: 1234yf refrigerant. This new, colorless gas has only a minute impact on the atmosphere. It breaks down chemically in the atmosphere after just 11 days, compared to 13 years for R134a, according to research by Chemours.

The new refrigerant has been required in new cars in Europe by an EU directive since 2011. In the U.S., however, the requirement has been challenged and overturned, says Chemical and Engineering News. But, according to VASA, some manufacturers will continue with their planned transition anyway.