Toyota confirmed it would start using the new refrigerant in new models starting this year.

"We undertook flammability tests and risk assessment with an independent third party institute, and the results confirmed the safety of the new refrigerant."

What should I ask about new refrigerants?

Are there any safety considerations for new refrigerants in chillers?

A technician would pump in new refrigerant to replace any that leaked away in the winter, and check for leaks.

A new refrigerant, R-134a, has been developed that does not include chlorine and does not pose a threat to the ozone.

Conversion to the new refrigerant was begun by most manufacturers about two years ago and will be completed by the end of this year.

The machine would have cost $3,000 and will be obsolete in a few years when the car industry switches to a new refrigerant.

The compressor and sometimes the entire system must be redesigned to accommodate the new refrigerant.

Air-conditioning units running on a new refrigerant, R-134a, are now available.