Diy YF: can you believe it?

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Wise words that certain auto accessory suppliers seem to disagree with, given the fact R1234yf top-up kits are now on the market priced around the $200 mark.

A number of automotive air-conditioning technicians have already raised their concerns on social media, discussing the many reasons why the retail sale of DIY top-up cans is a bad idea.

But it is perfectly legal for anybody to walk off the street and purchase one of these kits in Australia due to R1234yf not being a prescribed substance under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act.

Nor is the purchase and use of R1234yf controlled by the national licensing scheme administered by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). Hence the need for competency-based licensing.

Hopefully, the $200 purchase price of the kit will at least encourage potential buyers to approach a qualified and licensed technician before attempting a DIY refrigerant top-up.