Advantages and Disadvantages

ADVANTAGES
Cost - Alternative refrigerants are generally cheaper than R-12 (though generally more expensive than R-134a).

Improved Cooling Characteristics - Some alternative refrigerants may have better cooling characteristics than R-134a.


DISADVANTAGES
May Void Warranties - OEM and after market parts manufacturers generally do not test alternative refrigerants. Use of non-approved refrigerants may void their warranties.

No Drop-Ins - The EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) specifically prohibits charging an alternative refrigerant into a system containing R-12 without first removing the R-12.

Limited Industry Support and Service - Servicing alternative refrigerants requires unique, dedicated equipment. Support and service for this equipment is not as widespread as that for R-12 and R-134a.

Cross-Contamination - Cross-contamination with R-12, R-134a, or other alternative refrigerants may be difficult to detect. Cross-contaminated refrigerants can not be recycled on sight. Industry sources for recyling cross-contaminated refrigerants are limited.

Fractionation - All approved alternative refrigerants (except R-134a) are blends composed of several different types of refrigerants. Once inside the A/C system, blends may split into their separate components (fractionation), resulting in varying system performance.

Performance Testing - Although approved by the EPA as non-toxic, their effectiveness as a refrigerant is not certified by the EPA or the OE manufacturers.

Component Incompatibility - Hoses and seals may be incompatible with alternative refrigerant.

NOTE: If alternative refrigerants containing R-22 are used, all non-barrier A/C hoses must be replaced with barrier type hoses. Chemical Composition