Knowledge Base:   All Automotive Air Conditioning FAQ Choosing and Using Alternative Refrigerants Fundamentals of Dehydrating a Refrigerant System Refrigerant Compositions Battery Chargers Air Compressors and Air Management Century Tool & Equipment Line Card Your Plasma Torch, Consumables and Increasing Their Life Product Literature Dangerous R-134a contamination found worldwide Returns Battery Knowledge

Does the EPA test alternative refrigerants for performance in cars? Last Updated: 09/28/2007

No. The SNAP program evaluates substitutes only for their effect on human health and the environment, and not for performance or durability. None of the alternative refrigerants have been endorsed by the OEMs for use in vehicles, and few have had extensive testing in a wide range of vehicle models. Tags: replacement, propane, butane Was this article helpful? 10 (Best) 9 8 7 6 5 (Average) 4 3 2 1 (Worst) Comments:   Related Articles  > What happens when a hydrocarbon such as propane or butane is used in an A/C system?  > Do I need to do anything special to retrofit an old R12 system to a R134a system?  > What does R-22 do to a typical MVAC (mobile vehicle air conditioning) system?  > Why can't we continue to use R12?  > What do I do with contaminated refrigerant?  > Do I need be concerned about A/C component warranties if I retrofit a system to an alternative refrigerant?  > How can I know what refrigerant is in an A/C system?  > Will we ever have problems obtaining supplies of R134a?  > What do all OEMs (car manufacturers) currently use in all of their cars?  > How many refrigerants are currently "acceptable for use" in cars today?  > Can two refrigerants be mixed and still work?  > Can anyone buy the alternative refrigerants and retrofit kits?  > Can I recycle alternative refrigerants?  > I heard a story about HC-12a / OZ-12, are they flammable refrigerants? And what is the full story?  > Can I legally use HC-12a / OZ-12 for use in R134a cars, or in industrial refrigeration applications?  > I heard of propane or butane being used in A/C systems, is this true?  > What is the SNAP Program?  > What fines will I expose myself to if I don't follow the SNAP guidelines?  > How does the EPA catch and convict a SNAP violator?  > Do I need to maintain records on refrigerants I buy, use, or dispose?  > How long do I need to keep records, according to the EPA?  > Clean Air Act Amendment Dealing with Air Conditioning and Refrigeration  > Honeywell Solstice yf refrigerant Fact Sheet