The benefit of R1234yf is simple. The new refrigerant lasts only 11 days in the atmosphere compared to 13 years for R134a. This is why the EPA is requiring R1234yf to be installed in all new systems by 2021. The European Union required the changeover on Jan. 1, 2017.
So, what does this mean for independent shop owners and technicians? Currently, there are approximately 20 million vehicles on the road with R1234yf in the HVAC system. It is not a question of if, but when your shop will have to deal with one of these systems. While working on R1234yf systems is not that different from the R134a variety in operation or theory, identifying the refrigerant and recharging the system has some new twists.