More air conditioning pain on the horizon
Only fridgies would know, but we're in for yet another - "enviromentally" driven change of air conditioning gas, and this one ain't cheap....
Actually, it's been in the making for nearly 9 years, and the end draweth nigh in a year or two.
Found this when I was looking up BANG -Gas automotive drop-ins.... from a forum dedicated to the subject / Techies.
Goodbye R134a, hello 1234yf
Oh, forgot to mention, factories built in Good 'Ole US of A..and China. Price is lots more than 134a.
Changing to another formulation is not restricted to A/C gasses, it's almost an 'American Business Model', as Type 1 Diabetics would know. - Only a couple of insulin makers in the world, and, oddly enough, they raise their prices in lockstep. Not only but also, they constantly alter (new patent....) the formulas to keep out generic manufacturers.
Personally, I don't care what gas goes into the bus I drive, only that it works in our currently hot weather of 40+ degrees over here. The 134a in my roof-top unit is not doing too well. (But great in winter, and spring, and autumn!) 29 degrees is still too warm even if it is 40 outside.