---
title: "R-1234ze: Pros, Cons & Comparisons to R-134a | The Super Blog"
description: Learn about the properties, history, & suitable applications of HFO refrigerant R-1234ze, which was developed as a low-GWP replacement for R-134a.
---

[The Super Blog ](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog)

# [R-1234ze: Pros, Cons & Comparisons to R-134a | The Super Blog](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/r-1234ze-pros-cons-comparisons)

 Written by [Super Radiator Coils](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/author/super-radiator-coils) | Mar 26, 2021 12:59:30 PM

Our Refrigerant Focus series delves into the history, properties, suitable applications, and pros and cons of some of today’s popular or otherwise noteworthy refrigerants. This installment will focus on R-1234ze.

*Check out some of our refrigerant focus posts below.*

- [Refrigerant Focus #1: R-32](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/refrigerant-focus-r-32-difluoromethane)
- [Refrigerant Focus #2: R-410A](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/refrigerant-focus-r-410a)
- [Refrigerant Focus #4: R-407A](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/r-407a-pros-cons-comparisons-r-404a-r-22)
- [Refrigerant Focus #5: R-290](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/r-290-pros-cons-comparisons-r22-r134a-r404a)
- [Refrigerant Focus #6: CO2](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/co2-pros-cons-comparisons)
- [Refrigerant Focus #7: R-448A](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/r-448a-pros-cons-performance-comparisons)
- [Refrigerant Focus #8: R-454B](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/r-454b-pros-cons-comparisons-to-r-410a)

## **History**

R-1234ze (scientific name 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) is known as a “next-gen” refrigerant. Next-gen refrigerants are a group of substances that includes refrigerants like [R-32](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/refrigerant-focus-r-32-difluoromethane) and R-1234ze’s HFO brother, R-1234yf. These [refrigerants](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/research-and-development/tube-side-refrigerant-lab) all share a common trait: a fractional global warming potential (GWP) than that of their synthetic predecessors.

Most next-gen refrigerants, including R-1234ze, were developed to be long-term, sustainable replacements for environmentally harmful substances that are being regulated out of production. R-1234ze was developed and patented by Honeywell and designed as a replacement for R-134a.

## **Properties of R-1234ze**

R-1234ze is classified as a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), which is a class of unsaturated organic compounds made from a combination of hydrogen, carbon, and fluorine. The most notable property of R-1234ze – and HFOs more broadly – is their *extremely low impact on the environment.*

**

With a GWP somewhere between two and ten, R-1234ze is of significant interest to the engineering and scientific community for its potential as a low-GWP refrigerant. For a performance comparison, we’ve run a theoretical 36” x 70” 2-row [condenser](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/products/coils/condenser-coils) through our coil selection software, [Enterprise](https://apps.superradiatorcoils.com/). The coil’s [airside](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/research-and-development/wind-tunnel-test-lab) and [tube-side](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/research-and-development/tube-side-refrigerant-lab) requirements are below and the [coil’s](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/products/coils) rating is below that. We’ve included a rating for the same coil running R-134a as well.

It should also be noted that R-1234ze is not miscible with mineral oil. Ester-based synthetic lubricant will need to be used in compressors.

## **Applications for R-1234ze**

- [Commercial HVAC](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/industries/hvac)
- Mid-temp refrigeration

## **R-1234ze: Pros **

- **Low GWP**: The primary benefit of R-1234ze is its low GWP and the resulting compliance with the latest environmental regulations.
- **Less refrigerant required: **As illustrated in the above table, an R-1234ze condenser coil requires about 9% less refrigerant than an R-134a coil at the rated condition. 

## **R-1234ze: Cons**

- **Lower thermal capacity than R-134a**: R-134a is able to absorb and release more heat than R-1234ze. 
- **ASHRAE classification of A2L**: R-1234ze is classified by ASHRAE as somewhat flammable. It can therefore not be retrofitted to R-134s systems, although R-1234ze’s flammability relative to other A2L substances is less black and white.

[Honeywell](https://www.honeywell-refrigerants.com/europe/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4651_SolsticeZe_Brochure_06Nov.pdf) claims that for R-1234ze to become flammable, it would need “10 times more concentration and 250,000 times more energy” than a hydrocarbon refrigerant. And even that couldn’t occur at temperatures lower than 86°F (30°C). This trait has led [ASTM International](https://www.astm.org/) to classify R-1234ze as non-flammable in the context of handling or storage.

Are you considering R-1234ze for your equipment? [Give us a call](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/contact-us) if you have any questions on performance or register for our selection software, Enterprise and select R-1234ze as your refrigerant. From there, you can iterate on design conditions, materials, and more to find what best meets the needs of your requirement.

*Don’t get left out in the cold when it comes to heat transfer information. To stay up to date on a variety of topics on the subject, [subscribe to The Super Blog](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog-subscribe), our technical blog, [Doctor's Orders](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog-subscribe-doctors-orders), and follow us on [LinkedIn,](https://www.linkedin.com/company/super-radiator-coils/?viewAsMember=true) [Twitter,](https://twitter.com/SuperRadiator) and [YouTube.](https://www.youtube.com/user/SuperRadiatorCoils)*

[View full post](https://www.superradiatorcoils.com/blog/r-1234ze-pros-cons-comparisons)

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