Substitutes in MVAC: Passenger Air Conditioning in Light-Duty, Medium-Duty, Heavy-Duty and Off-Road Vehicles
Substitutes are reviewed on the basis of environmental and health risks, including factors such as ozone depletion potential, global warming potential, toxicity, flammability, and exposure potential. Lists of acceptableThis designation means that a substitute may be used, without restriction, to replace the relevant ODS within the end-use specified. For example, HCFC-22 is an acceptable substitute for R-502 in industrial process refrigeration. Note that all SNAP determinations apply to the use of a specific product as a substitute for a specific ODS in a specific end-use. and unacceptableThis designation means that it is illegal to use a product as a substitute for an ODS in a specific end-use. For example, HCFC-141b is an unacceptable substitute for CFC-11 in building chillers. Note that all SNAP determinations apply to the use of a specific product as a substitute for a specific ODS in a specific end-use. substitutes are updated several times each year. The list of substitutes is shown below.
Many acceptable substitutes under SNAP may be restricted under the Technology Transitions Program. Find more information on Technology Transitions Program restrictions.
Note: SNAP-related information published in the Federal Register takes precedence over all information on this page.
| Substitute | Trade Name(s) | Retrofit/New | GWPThe index used to translate the level of emissions of various gases into a common measure in order to compare the relative radiative forcing of different gases without directly calculating the changes in atmospheric concentrations. GWPs are calculated as the ratio of the radiative forcing that would result from the emissions of one kilogram of a greenhouse gas to that from the emission of one kilogram of carbon dioxide over a period of time (usually 100 years). Gases involved in complex atmospheric chemical processes have not been assigned GWPs. See lifetime. | ASHRAEASHRAE is an international organization that establishes standards for the uniform testing and rating of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. It also conducts related research, disseminates publications, and provides continuing education to its members. Designation (Safety Classification) | SNAP Listing Date | Listing Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporative Cooling | N | 0 | N/A | N/A | March 18, 1994 | Acceptable | |
| RB-276 | Free Zone, HCFC Blend Delta | R/N | 0.013 | 1,592 | A1 | May 22, 1996; July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. |
| Freeze 12 | Freeze 12 | R/N | 0.013 | 1,606 | A1 | October 16, 1996; July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. |
| R-416A | FRIGC FR-12, HCFC Blend Beta | R/N | 0.009 | 1,081 | A1 | June 13, 1995 (pdf) (223 KB); July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. |
| GHG-HP | HCFC Blend Lambda | R/N | 0.056 | 1,893 | A1 | October 16, 1996; July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. |
| R-414A | GHG-X4, HCFC Blend Xi, Autofrost, Chill-it | R | 0.045 | 1,478 | A1 | October 16, 1996; July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. |
| GHG-X5 | GHG-X5 | R/N | 0.032 | 2,377 | A1 | June 3, 1997 (pdf) (133 KB); July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see notice. |
| HFC-134a | R/N | 0 | 1,430 | A1 | March 18, 1994; July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of Model Year (MY) 2021, except where allowed under a narrowed use limit through MY 2025. Acceptable, subject to narrowed use limits, for vehicles exported to countries with insufficient servicing infrastructure to support other alternatives, for MY 2021 through MY 2025. Unacceptable for all newly manufactured vehicles as of MY 2026. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. | |
| HFC-152a | N | 0 | 124 | A2 | June 12, 2008 (pdf) (172 KB) | Acceptable with Use Conditions: See rule for detailed conditions. | |
| HFO-1234yf | Opteon™ XL10, Solstice® yf | N | 0 | 4 | A2L | March 29, 2011 (pdf) (333 KB); December 1, 2016 (pdf) (969 KB); May 4, 2022 (pdf) (485 KB) | Acceptable with Use Conditions: For use in newly manufactured passenger cars, light-duty trucks, medium-duty passenger vehicles, heavy-duty pickup trucks, complete heavy-duty vans, and nonroad vehicles; see rules for detailed conditions. |
| R-414B | Hot Shot, Kar Kool, HCFC Blend Omicron | R/N | 0.098 | 3,337 | A1 | October 16, 1996; July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. |
| Ikon A | Ikon-12, Blend Zeta | R/N | 0 | N/A | A1 | May 22, 1996 | Acceptable with Use Conditions: See rule for detailed conditions. |
| R-401C | R/N | 0 | 933 | A1 | June 13, 1995 (pdf) (223 KB) | Acceptable | |
| R-406A | GHG-12, GHG-X3, McCool, Autofrost X3 | R/N | 0.057 | 1,900 | A2 | October 16, 1996; July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see rule. |
| R-426A | RS-24 | R/N | 0 | 1,510 | A1 | September 28, 2006 (pdf) (182 KB); July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see notice. |
| R-744 (Carbon Dioxide, CO2) | N | 0 | 1 | A1 | June 6, 2012 (pdf) (343 KB) | Acceptable with Use Conditions: See rule for detailed conditions. | |
| RS-24 (2002 formulation) | R/N | 0 | 1,510 | A1 | December 20, 2002 (pdf) (168 KB) | Acceptable with Use Conditions: See notice for detailed conditions. | |
| Small auxiliary power units that include an engine, electrical alternator, water pump, air conditioning compressor and a heat exchanger used in tractor trailers in conjunction with passenger compartment climate control systems that already use an acceptable substitute refrigerant. | R/N | 0 | N/A | N/A | June 19, 2000 (pdf) (223 KB) | Acceptable | |
| SP34E | SP34E | R/N | 0 | <1,470 | A1 | December 18, 2000 (pdf) (257 KB); May 23, 2001 (pdf) (144 KB); July 20, 2015 (pdf) (686 KB) | Unacceptable as of MY 2017. Detailed conditions apply - see notice; use of new fittings for small refrigerant cans required. |
| Stirling Cycle | N | 0 | N/A | N/A | March 18, 1994 | Acceptable |
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