VARIATIONS

There are two types of refrigerants used in air conditioning systems, R-12 and R-134a. The refrigerant is the fluid that absorbs and then releases heat. R-12 refrigerant, otherwise known as Freon®, contains harmful CFCs (chloroflourocarbons). The manufacture of refrigerants containing CFCs was totally banned in the U.S. effective January, 1996. This was necessary since the chlorine in CFCs damages the ozone layer that protects people and animals from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, most vehicle air conditioning systems in use today still use Freon®, although the number will decrease over time.

R-134a refrigerant contains HFCs (hydroflourocarbons) that do not damage the ozone. R-12 and R-134a refrigerants are not compatible; they cannot be mixed or used in place of each other.

SYSTEMS
AIR CONDITIONING
CORRECT OPERATION
SAFETY TIPS