R134a is a single-component refrigerant; it has no glide and its behaviour is simple. Because it is a low-pressure refrigerant (about 2.9 bar at 0 °C) the compressor is lightly loaded, and it is efficient at evaporating temperatures above −10 °C: chillers, milk and beverage cooling, air conditioning, positive-temperature cabinets. Its capacity falls off sharply below −20 °C, so it is not used in frozen applications.
Because its GWP is 1,430 it has been banned in new car air conditioners in the EU (R1234yf) and is being phased down in stationary systems. In commercial refrigeration its "drop-in" alternative is R513A (GWP 631); in new designs R1234ze and R290. Existing R134a systems keep running; service gas is available but the price is rising.
R134a works with POE oil and is very sensitive to moisture; the filter drier and evacuation demand care. See our refrigerant page for the pressure–temperature chart; bar–psi conversion can also be done with the unit converter.