Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)
the price of 134a Pages: 12Last
cc61 on 
Thu December 09, 2004 2:08 PM 
What is everyone paying for 30lb cylinders of 134a?
Tom Greenleaf on Thu December 09, 2004 5:12 PM
The last few I paid $59.00 bucks for but I buy lots when I see a deal and that was a while ago. I understand there was a problem with a manufacturer and the price has gone up to perhap $90. Price should drop again when things normalize. It was real cool here for Summer and I didn't get much demand for repairs and product so I still have enough for next season. This from New England.
We all hope it drops again but if not you need to consider that with your work. Be well, Tom Greenleaf
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Tom Greenleaf
TRB on 
Thu December 09, 2004 8:18 PM 
$ 2.17 per pound
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NickD on Thu December 09, 2004 9:50 PM
Weird but nice weather, we had a very cool summer this last year, I never switched on my HVAC until the middle of August and that was mostly because of my favorite hay fever season. Dec. 9th, 40*F outside now and its raining, we did drop to 31*F last Monday and got hit with six inches of a very heavy snow. They will probably increase the energy cost because the demand is low as my last months gas bill showed.
Not much about R-134a, but now is the time to buy it. LOL, just in case it gets warm next summer.
cc61 on Fri December 10, 2004 9:00 AM
well it is going up here in NC! its priced around $118.00 per 30 lb cylinder and still going
UK Tech on Fri December 10, 2004 12:47 PM
ã50 + 17.5% VAT for 13.6kg
NickD on Sun December 12, 2004 8:43 AM
Ha, you Brits invented the English system and switched over to the French system. Seems it would be a lot easier if you were paying a pound for a pound of R-134a, LOL. What in the hell is a quid and isn't it easier to say a pound than to say a quid?
Let's see, ã50 + 17.5% is ã58.75 or $112.509 and 13.6KG (which is a unit of mass by the way, not weight) is 27.82832 pounds, so youse guys are paying over four bucks a pound, too much.
Ha, I use to complain when R-12 was a half a buck a pound and most of that cost was in the carton and the tank that had to be pitched. Seemed strange to pitch a perfectly painted tank in a brand new carton, not even a scratch on it, but now, those were the good old days.
Edited: Sun December 12, 2004 at 8:56 AM by NickD
mhfd112 on Sat February 05, 2005 8:22 PM
I just paid $200 for a 30lb tank.
The place I normally buy from was already up to $250.
TRB on Sat February 05, 2005 8:29 PM
We just purchased some Friday for $ 4.00 a pound. I don't care what reason they try and say is the cause! Its just plain greed on the manufactures part. They have lost the ability to rape us on R12 since demand is gone so its on to R134a. The seminars I attended at the MACS show never once addressed the current cost increased. I will point out I did not hit everyone so maybe it was covered in a different class. Bottom line is we are getting the short end of the stick again by the manufactures and the EPA!
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TXAB on Sun February 06, 2005 12:53 AM
I found it for $140.00 here. Quite a jump from a few months ago. Was only $59.00. I should have bought up a bunch, could be selling for a profit for sure now.
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"Don't get stuck on stupid!"
---- Lt. Gen. Russel Honore
UK Tech on Mon February 07, 2005 1:01 PM
There was a piece about this in a recent trade mag over here. Apparently, some of the manufacturers are dedicating more of their plant to other refrigerants that are used in R22 replacements. As they have to tie up a lot of capital and plant, and can't just switch between different refrigerants, they're taking the long view and see the best markets away from 134, as 134 has a finite life. Certainly in Europe, we're expecting to see the first CO2 systems from the OEMs in 2007, so from there on in it's downhill all the way for R134.
Guess you can't blame them really, if you can only make so much refrigerant, and one has a long life and another is being phased out from new vehicles, which way would you go?
mhfd112 on Tue February 08, 2005 1:27 PM
The place I bought 30 pounders from last Fri. is up and additional $30 per tank now. $230 Another store is up to $279
Chick on Tue February 08, 2005 1:45 PM
If that keeps up, we may be retrofitting R134a cars to R12....
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Chick
Email: Chick
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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose
iceman2555 on Tue February 08, 2005 5:41 PM
South FL prices are $169. Ouch...and not even a 'reach around'.....yea gads..will it ever stop. However, guess all those shops that never invested in recovery/recycle machines will now.....
Ya'll have a great one !!!!
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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
TRB on Tue February 08, 2005 10:35 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by: UK Tech
There was a piece about this in a recent trade mag over here. Apparently, some of the manufacturers are dedicating more of their plant to other refrigerants that are used in R22 replacements. As they have to tie up a lot of capital and plant, and can't just switch between different refrigerants, they're taking the long view and see the best markets away from 134, as 134 has a finite life. Certainly in Europe, we're expecting to see the first CO2 systems from the OEMs in 2007, so from there on in it's downhill all the way for R134.
Guess you can't blame them really, if you can only make so much refrigerant, and one has a long life and another is being phased out from new vehicles, which way would you go?
At MACS the OEMS all said they had CO2 vehicles in design stage! Yet failed to say when as a manufacture all their vehicles would be any certain refrigerant other than R134a. They would not state get ready to buy this equipment or that equipment. They just said plan on spending more money when we tell you too! Not sure where "enhanced R134a" falls into the EU deal but that seemed to be the buzz in most of the meetings. Of course there was little information being passed around concerning this new refrigerant.
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mitchh on Wed February 09, 2005 7:09 AM
I just decided to stockpile some today after reading this post. I managed to pick up a couple tanks for $141 each at Sam's Club here in Honolulu. Just a few months ago they were only 60 bucks!!!! Ridiculous. Sam's also had cases of the 12oz cans. I picked up a couple cases of those so when the price goes through the roof, I can sell them on Ebay for a healthy profit 
and hopefully pay for my two 30 lb tanks.
Edited: Wed February 09, 2005 at 7:10 AM by mitchh
UK Tech on Wed February 09, 2005 1:15 PM
From what I've read, there are 3 schemes ongoing. An enhanced R134a system, HC's, and CO2.
The US are pushing for the enhanced and HC route, but it looks like the good 'ol EU has made it's mind up to dump R134a, so some of the OE's are just going the whole hog with CO2. It seems they have working systems, but are still finalizing seal types, hoses, and evaporator arrangements, as they aren't too sure about running high pressure gas into the cabin. The CO2 systems are also thought to work well as a heat pump, which is desireable with the common rail diesel engines that are booming over here. As the engines are so thermally efficient, it can help get the engine and cabin up to temperature quicker, as currently most have to have an auxiliary heater using diesel to do so.
There's other issues as well with things like leak detection, as lubricant doesn't flow through the system, so dye won't work.
TRB on Wed February 09, 2005 1:21 PM
There was also talk about having a separate generator/motor to run the a/c system, do to the no idle requirements passed in the UK. Imagine the performance of a standard a/c system if the engine shut down at idle and or stop. Vehicle would never have a chance to cool!
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ron in charleston on Wed February 09, 2005 3:51 PM
I paid about $65 at Sams Club about 6 months ago for a 30# tank.
GlennT on Thu February 10, 2005 11:04 AM
I hope your refrigerant identifiers are in good shape. When the price of 134a hits over $6 bucks a can the BBQ blends become price competitive. The cheapest I paid was $5 bucks a can which was 2x the price I paid for 134a last year. Not trying to promote them here just wondering what could happen, I am having visions of cheap blends beind sold at flea markets.
Whats the chance of 134a hitting $20 bucks a pound by the summer?
mhfd112 on Thu February 17, 2005 9:15 AM
According to their web site the local Auto Zone store is getting $12.99 per can for r134a and $14.99 per can for r-12. $300 for 30 lbs of r134a.
What is the price of 12 oz cans in other areas?
GM Tech on Thu February 17, 2005 9:56 AM
Advance Auto had it for $199 last wk- for a 30lb 134a-- it went up to $248 Sunday night, Sam's had it for $158 last wk-- completely sold out in this region with no intent to reorder this week- I did find 4 30 pounders for $160 from a local vendor who is unaware of the weekly increase.
Advance told me it would be over $300 next week- they have to call corporate headquarters each time they sell any...........
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The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......
NickD on Thu February 17, 2005 12:16 PM
Ha, http://www.r22.org/ wants 300 bucks for 30# of R-134a and 425 bucks for the same size tank of R-12, delivered.
TRB on Thu February 17, 2005 12:45 PM
Considering the current cost and the price of hasmat shipping that is not all that bad Nick!
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Airtech on 
Thu February 17, 2005 7:56 PM
Just paid today $ 115.00 for 30lb jug at a local A/C warehouse in north Florida. Bought all 9 they had in stock.
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