Why its important to implement
A/C gases (R12, R134a, R1234yf) are expensive, toxic, and environmentally harmful. Proper capture saves costs and ensures regulatory compliance across different refrigerant types.
Environmental impact of R12
Sadly, the extensive use of freon turned out to contribute to the rapid depletion of the Earth's ozone layer, which filters out most of the sun's harmful UV rays. This is why freon was banned from all new cars sold in the U.S. starting in 1995. It is still legal to drive an automobile with freon refrigerant in the A/C system as long as the vehicle was manufactured before 1995. Many classic car owners have retrofitted their vehicles to employ a freon replacement for their AC units.
Health and safety considerations
The gasses are also toxic and can be harmful to technicians if breathed in.
R134a refrigerant characteristics
R134a refrigerant: The refrigerant most likely in your vehicle today is R134a, the freon replacement selected for its effectiveness and low risk of flammability. R134a is friendlier to the ozone layer, but it is not friendlier to the environment. R134a contains greenhouse gas that doesn't break down quickly and thus contributes to the heating of the planet that characterizes climate change.
R1234yf refrigerant transition
R1234yf refrigerant: Vehicle manufacturers began the transition to using R1234yf in A/C systems several years ago in anticipation of the 2021 federal mandate to switch from R134a. By 2019, 27 of the top 40 selling car and truck models had outfitted their air conditioning units to run on R1234yf. This new refrigerant works as well as its predecessors while breaking down into harmless components in 11 minutes, causing almost no environmental impact. It has been required in vehicles sold in Europe since 2011 and is becoming the norm in the U.S. as well. The one drawback of R1234yf is that it is flammable; however, bursting into flames has not been an issue after a decade of use in Europe.
R12 refrigerant historical context
R12 refrigerant (freon): Until 1995, the universal refrigerant for car air conditioners was freon, the gaseous element sometimes known as R12 refrigerant. Freon worked well because it is inexpensive and cools to a liquid at around the freezing point of water but otherwise remains in a gaseous state that absorbs heat well.
Environmental gas capture compliance
When there is the need to strip down air-conditioning condensers and piping it is important that the air-conditioning gasses are captured and stored using approved equipment. Allowing the gasses to be released into the environment especially on older vehicles is damaging to the environment. Additionally, these gas is very expensive and should be captured, stored and reused.
Business Impact
Profit affected by gas waste and potential fines, cost savings through gas reuse, environmental compliance protection from regulatory penalties.
Profit
If gas is released into the atmosphere and not captured, stored and reused it will cost the business more money as more new gas will be required to completed refill an air-conditioning system that was emptied. Using the gas taken from the system will save the business money
Profit
If the business is fined for inappropriate use of refrigerants profits will be affected
Overall Business Impact
Profit is affected when gas is released into the atmosphere instead of being captured, stored and reused, requiring the business to purchase more new gas to refill air-conditioning systems and potentially facing fines for inappropriate refrigerant use. Environmental compliance and cost savings are achieved through proper gas capture and reuse systems.
action steps
Invest in multi-refrigerant A/C equipment (R12/R134a/R1234yf), train/certify technicians, establish Production Manager oversight, enforce compliance.
Policy Enforcement
Strong internal warnings if policy not followed once established.
Management Oversight
Production managers should manage this process.
Certification Requirements
Once in place trained and certified technician should discharge, store and recharge all air-conditioning systems.
Equipment Investment
If the business does not have air-conditioning equipment for removing and recharging it should invest as soon as possible. The business will need systems that can handle R12 (Stopped in vehicles since approx. than 1995), R134a, R1234yf.
Related tasks
Milestone:
12: Vehicle Stripping & Identification