CoolDrive first to market with Opteon HFO-1234YF

11 Mar, 2015

CoolDrive Distribution is the first to import and market in Australia the new HFO-1234yf air-conditioning refrigerant.
 
HFO-1234yf is here and available now, as CoolDrive continues to lead the industry as supplier of the new refrigerant and associated professional re-gassing equipment
 
Opteon YF is a hydrofluoro-olefin low-toxicity refrigerant, developed as a ‘greener’ alternative to the use of traditional HFC-R134A used in vehicle air-conditioning systems.
 
By 2018 it’s anticipated that every new car sold in Australia will use the new HFO refrigerant, which responds to new global regulations to control and ultimately eliminate emissions from ozone-depleting fluorinated gases (HFCs).
 
It’s estimated that next year there will be in excess of 30 million new vehicles manufactured across Europe, Japan and Korea equipped with HFO refrigerant, and it follows that we will see a surge in demand for HFO refrigerant in Australia as well.

CoolDrive is already seeing strong initial uptake of the new refrigerant here with the need for Opteon YF to re-gas European cars that have been in need of repair.

Long-time CoolDrive customer Wishart Auto Tech has been proactive in preparing for this innovation with its on-site re-gas service.
 
CoolDrive founder John Blanchard senior and Leigh Wishart have been business partners for many years, the pair working together to develop a range of air-conditioning condensers for the Ford Telstar in the late ‘70s.
 
Wishart Auto Tech is now run by Stuart Wishart and each company remains at the forefront of the vehicle air-conditioning industry today.
 
Late last year Wishart Auto Tech was engaged by Victorian Body Works to perform the first retail HFO-1234yf re-gas in Australia, on a repaired modern European model.
 
Significantly, the new HFO-1234yf refrigerant is not compatible with existing R134a air-conditioning equipment and nor will system connections marry together, to ensure the avoidance of cross contamination.

 That means that service workshops will need to act quickly to stock the correct equipment and compatible refrigerant to adapt to this new air-conditioning system technology, or be forced to refer work on.
 
And although new cars will be imported with refrigerant, Dealer Franchisees will also need to gear up to be able to service their vehicles.
 
CoolDrive is the first to stock a full range of tools and equipment to service HFO-1234yf vehicles, including Recovery/Recycle/Recharge units, vacuum pumps, manifold gauges and leak detectors, all from such respected brands as CPS, Robinair, Ariazone and Jayair.
 
As Wishart Auto Tech’s recent retail re-gas demonstrates, there is demand right now for the new refrigerant among modern European models on sale here.
 
And while the number of new cars being sold here utilising HFO-1234yf is still relatively small, with the imminent demise of local car manufacturing that demand will only accelerate.
 
Opteon YF (HFO-1234yf) is available from CoolDrive in 4.5kg cylinders (Part Number OG1234)

Opteon® Is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company