Chill with Confidence: Ace the 2026 ASE Air Conditioner Exam and Keep Cool Under the Hood!

The refrigerant commonly phased out due to environmental regulations is R-134a. This refrigerant has been widely used in automotive air conditioning systems and has gained popularity since it is less harmful to the ozone layer compared to older refrigerants like R-12. However, R-134a is still a potent greenhouse gas, which has led to increased scrutiny and subsequent regulations aimed at reducing its use as part of broader climate change initiatives.

Switching to alternative refrigerants, such as R-1234yf or R-152a, is encouraged due to their reduced global warming potential. The move away from R-134a aligns with international treaties and national regulations aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

R-12, while also phased out due to its detrimental impact on the ozone layer, was effectively banned before R-134a became the standard for automotive use. R-410A, primarily used in commercial HVAC systems and not typically in automotive applications, has not been phased out in the same context. R-22, although facing restrictions, is mainly associated with residential AC systems and is not as relevant in automotive applications as R-134a.