A/C Z134A vs. R134A

[HawkX66]

I need to re-charge my a/c after being completely empty. I was thinking about giving this Z134A stuff a try. It seems a lot cheaper and is compatible. Has anyone tried it?

Here's a quick comparison I did:



https://www.amazon.com/ZeroR-Z134-R...1190763&sr=1-8&keywords=R134A#customerReviews

From their ad:

ZeroR Z134 is an R-134a replacement. Z134 is a natural non ozone depleting formula unlike R-134a that is being phased out.

• Z134 is a 6 oz can equal to 16 oz of R-134a. Z134 has a higher operating pressure which requires less liquid. See our conversion chart for more information.

• ZeroR Z134 is a flammable product but is safe to use and will not cause your A/C system any harm.

• Cans have the same thread as R-134a cans making all tools interchangeable.

• Contains less than 1% of non uv dye and is not significant enough to leak test a system.

 

[JExpedition07]

The damn govt and their regulation of refrigeration. Seems like we just got most stuff over to R-410A and now they want to phase it out. R-12, R-22 ($900 per jug), and now 410A are all on the brink. Now they have manufacturers filling systems with propane which puts all professionals and inhabitents in danger when servicing the system as it’s highly flammable and explosive. I used good ol’ R-134A out of a 30 pound jug when I replaced my A/C system in the expy in July.

 

[HawkX66]

The damn govt and their regulation of refrigeration. Seems like we just got most stuff over to R-410A and now they want to phase it out. R-12, R-22 ($900 per jug), and now 410A are all on the brink. Now they have manufacturers filling systems with propane which puts all professionals and inhabitents in danger when servicing the system as it’s highly flammable and explosive. I used good ol’ R-134A out of a 30 pound jug when I replaced my A/C system in the expy in July.

I hear you. As far as which one, I could care less. I'm just looking at dollars and cents. Is the Z134 as good as the R134A functionally?

 

[gixer2000]

"Higher operating pressure" is all I needed to hear to say no to Z134

Ever have one of those hot days where it seems like the AC is struggling to keep up or takes forever to cool down? You will have more of those days at a lower ambient temp with the higher operating pressure!

Z134 should have a larger condenser similar to how the 410a condensers are huge compared to R22.

 

[gixer2000]

The damn govt and their regulation of refrigeration. Seems like we just got most stuff over to R-410A and now they want to phase it out. R-12, R-22 ($900 per jug), and now 410A are all on the brink. Now they have manufacturers filling systems with propane which puts all professionals and inhabitents in danger when servicing the system as it’s highly flammable and explosive. I used good ol’ R-134A out of a 30 pound jug when I replaced my A/C system in the expy in July.

Mo99 was the propane base refrigerant and it is the biggest pile of crap! Everyone down south jumped on board because it was a drop in for R22 and was cheap. The problem with leaks could be a serious issue so they don't want anyone using it anymore

 

[HawkX66]

"Higher operating pressure" is all I needed to hear to say no to Z134

Ever have one of those hot days where it seems like the AC is struggling to keep up or takes forever to cool down? You will have more of those days at a lower ambient temp with the higher operating pressure!

Z134 should have a larger condenser similar to how the 410a condensers are huge compared to R22.

Sounds like you know something about a/c. I appreciate the heads up. Sounds like the juice isn't worth the squeeze. I'll stick with R134...

 

[gixer2000]

Sounds like you know something about a/c. I appreciate the heads up. Sounds like the juice isn't worth the squeeze. I'll stick with R134...

I've been in the field for 20 years, Massachusetts refrigeration license for 17 years, Had my Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut Refrigeration license for 15 year's so... I guess I know a little..

 

[HawkX66]

I've been in the field for 20 years, Massachusetts refrigeration license for 17 years, Had my Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut Refrigeration license for 15 year's so... I guess I know a little..

Considering I was born and bred in Mass, I guess I can't hold that against you lol

 

[gixer2000]

Considering I was born and bred in Mass, I guess I can't hold that against you lol

What town?

 

[stamp11127]

I still can't get over possibly risking the entire ac system for @$15 difference in cost of refrigerant.
Plus I couldn't find the msds on the company website. That seems fishy to me.

 

[powerboatr]

i seriously doubt the lack of perceived danger form fire, using this stuff

I still can't get over possibly risking the entire ac system for @$15 difference in cost of refrigerant.
Plus I couldn't find the msds on the company website. That seems fishy to me.

me to
I tried to find what the flammable gas is. Is it propane or methane ? seems to remind me of when r12 became almost extinct and folks were using propane to charge the r 12 systems vice converting them

i can see a leak developing into a fire or explosion.

not to mention even higher pressures than the current r134...geeze they are high as heck now

 

[gixer2000]

i seriously doubt the lack of perceived danger form fire, using this stuff

me to
I tried to find what the flammable gas is. Is it propane or methane ? seems to remind me of when r12 became almost extinct and folks were using propane to charge the r 12 systems vice converting them

i can see a leak developing into a fire or explosion.

not to mention even higher pressures than the current r134...geeze they are high as heck now

Propane was a very common drop in for R12. Not supposed to use it but I guess it was cheaper than buying R414B(hotshot) or converting to 134a. Very dangerous though

 

[gixer2000]

I still can't get over possibly risking the entire ac system for @$15 difference in cost of refrigerant.
Plus I couldn't find the msds on the company website. That seems fishy to me.

I put a request in with national refrigerants for a MSDS this afternoon after I saw this thread. I wanted to give accurate information but the higher operating pressure kills it right there.

No word back yet on the MSDS but I'll post it up when they send it

 

[TobyU]

The fire risk is really not a concern at least not to me. Many more underhood fires are caused by fuel leaks.
I am into performance vs cost.
I have used the replacements for 134a before. A propane or isobutane blend. They are about the same price as I get my 134a for 3.99-4.99 a 12 oz can.
The flammable ones do get a little colder. So i used one time on a challenged system that already had the compressor and condenser replaces that was still anemic. I got 8-10 degrees lower dust temp from it.
I don't have a problem with them except when they charge too much. I see no reason not to use 134a if its same price or only a little more. It will provide longer lasting better results.

R-12 is king! Screw the GOVT.
R134a has been subpar junk from the beginning and it now gets worse.

 

[gixer2000]

The fire risk is really not a concern at least not to me. Many more underhood fires are caused by fuel leaks.
I am into performance vs cost.
I have used the replacements for 134a before. A propane or isobutane blend. They are about the same price as I get my 134a for 3.99-4.99 a 12 oz can.
The flammable ones do get a little colder. So i used one time on a challenged system that already had the compressor and condenser replaces that was still anemic. I got 8-10 degrees lower dust temp from it.
I don't have a problem with them except when they charge too much. I see no reason not to use 134a if its same price or only a little more. It will provide longer lasting better results.

R-12 is king! Screw the GOVT.
R134a has been subpar junk from the beginning and it now gets worse.

R12 is king for automotive and refrigeration.

For air conditioning I love R22.

 

[TobyU]

R12 is king for automotive and refrigeration.

For air conditioning I love R22.

I should have said WAS king...and I love R22 also.
Man, the days....we bought 30 pounders for 14.00

 

[gixer2000]

I should have said WAS king...and I love R22 also.
Man, the days....we bought 30 pounders for 14.00

Yeah it's down now here. Trane parts had it for $550/30lb. We bought a skid and got it for $450/30lb Yesterday.

In August it was $900/30lb no skid pricing.

 

[JExpedition07]

Yeah it's down now here. Trane parts had it for $550/30lb. We bought a skid and got it for $450/30lb Yesterday.

In August it was $900/30lb no skid pricing.

That’s last time I saw the price was over summer and it was $900

 

[TobyU]

Where do you think all that extra money is GOING!!!!!

 

[gixer2000]

Where do you think all that extra money is GOING!!!!!

Not In my pocket that's for sure