R134a Refrigerant Gas

What R134a is and where you still find it

R134a (also written R-134a or HFC-134a, chemically 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) is a pure refrigerant with essentially no temperature glide. It is non-flammable under safety class A1 and has zero ozone depletion potential. Most modern systems run it with POE oil, which absorbs moisture, so keep the circuit open for as short a time as possible during repairs.

In the field you meet R134a in medium-temperature display cabinets, bottle coolers and reach-in units, small and medium water chillers, industrial process chillers, transport and marine refrigeration, older heat pumps and the air conditioning of older vehicles. New passenger cars generally run on R1234yf instead.

R134a under Regulation (EU) 2024/573 in 2026

The servicing bans that took effect on 1 January 2025 for refrigeration and on 1 January 2026 for air conditioning and heat pumps cover gases with a GWP of 2500 or more. R134a sits below that line, so existing R134a equipment can still be serviced and topped up with virgin gas in 2026.

Two limits still matter. R134a is an HFC inside the EU quota system, which counts tonnes of CO2 equivalent, so supply can tighten even while servicing stays legal. Many categories of new equipment also have GWP limits that exclude R134a. The rule depends on the product category and date listed in Annex IV, not on the gas name alone.

Replacement paths for R134a systems

No replacement is a universal drop-in. Check compressor approval, oil, expansion device, controls and the equipment manufacturer's instructions before any conversion.

• R513A is A1 like R134a, with a GWP of 631, and is used for engineered retrofits and in new medium-temperature systems and chillers.
• R1234ze suits chillers and larger systems built for it. It is A2L, mildly flammable, so the equipment must be designed for that class.
• R1234yf is the A2L gas in newer vehicle air conditioning. It must never go into an R134a vehicle system that is not rated for it.

Choosing one cylinder or a pack

Every cylinder holds 12 kg net. A single cylinder covers a one-off repair or a reserve in the van. Packs of 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 cylinders lower the price per kg and fit contractors with several sites or a planned maintenance contract. For your F-gas records, one 12 kg cylinder equals 17.16 t CO2e (GWP 1430 x 12 kg / 1000), and the 20-cylinder pack with 240 kg comes to 343.2 t CO2e. Log each charge against the equipment it went into.

R134a delivery in the EU and buyer eligibility

R134a cylinders leave from our warehouses in Fréjus, France, or Riga, Latvia. Delivery takes 1-4 working days within France and 2-6 working days to the rest of the EU, including Ireland, the Benelux, the Nordics and the Baltics. Where a shipment needs sea transport, for example to Malta or Cyprus, that leg is charged extra.

R134a goes only to F-gas certified buyers. During the order you name your basis (certified technician, company with certified staff, or reseller) and add the certificate number with its issuing country; the order is released after we have checked it. Cylinders are returnable, and empty ones are taken back at our Riga warehouse. All R134a prices are listed without VAT, and EU businesses holding a valid VAT number are invoiced under reverse charge. Payment and freight options are set out on the delivery and payments page.