How to Get the Best Out of Your Car’s Air Conditioning
There’s nothing worse than when your car’s air conditioning isn’t working. With all of the brilliant weather in the UK recently, you rely on your air conditioning to keep you cool and comfortable. So, when you get blasted with hot air, it’s not going to be appreciated.
Since we know a lot about air con systems, we’re going to share with you some tips and tricks to get the best out of your car’s air conditioning this spring and summer. Say goodbye to those uncomfortable, sticky journeys!
An Air con Recharge and Why It’s Necessary
The reason why your car can’t get rid of the heat and cool down your cabin may be down to the refrigerant. When the system is low on refrigerant, this can affect the efficiency of cooling in your car. Over time, through the rubber hoses fixed to the aluminium pipes, refrigerant can be lost. This is essential for removing the heat and replacing it with cool air in your vehicle.
Having an air con recharge can help to prevent malfunctions and expensive problems arising. One way you can avoid this from happening is by running your air conditioning all year round. This may be a way to keep your levels of refrigerant healthy, as periods of inactivity can affect it too.
Let’s Learn How Your Air Conditioning Works
You may find it interesting to learn about how the air con system in your car works. So, let’s take a quick look.
- The refrigerant is transported by the compressor around the air con system.
- The (then) liquid refrigerant moves through the expansion valve. It will boil until it turns into gas. The cabin air goes over the evaporator.
- During the boiling process, any heat from the inside of the car is absorbed into the refrigerant. Of course, this is unable to happen if there are low levels of refrigerant.
- The refrigerant gas moves into the compressor. This is where the pressure rises, as well as the temperature.
- Then it will move through the condenser while ambient air is blown by the condenser fan.
- The heat is drawn out and released outside of the vehicle.
Now you can enjoy a cool and comfortable car temperature.
Air Con Check – Is it Part of a MOT or Service?
Air conditioning is not normally checked during your MOT. You’ll also find that manufacturers don’t check it during a service either. The best thing you can do is to arrange a specific air conditioning service.
This is something that we can do at EAC Telford. We would recommend that you think about arranging a check for your A/C system every 12 months. This is also alongside an air conditioning service at least every 24 months. This is going to make sure everything is good with your air conditioning and that it is efficient for sunny days.
The Reason Why Your Air Conditioning Stops Working
What is the reason your air conditioning is blowing out hot air? Most of the time, it’s down to the low level of refrigerant. If you don’t have the right amount in your air con system, it won’t work properly.
The refrigerant leaks through a natural loss or system fault. A natural loss of refrigerant is one of the easiest problems to rectify, replacing this and can return your system to full health in many instances.
What is a Re Gas and How is Refrigerant Replaced?
A re gas is the process of replacing your refrigerant. Do you want to know how it’s done? We’ll take you through how we do it.
We carry out a performance test to see how your air conditioning is working. We test the cabin and ambient air temperatures.
- We remove the refrigerant. It’s weighed to see if the levels are too low for your vehicle.
- Complete a vacuum leak check.
- A pressure leak check is carried out. Some faults cannot be found with a vacuum check.
- We use a specialist vacuum pump to remove moisture.
- Dye is added to aid in future leak detection.
- Oil is added if it’s needed.
- The correct quantity of refrigerant is weighed into the system.
- We complete another performance check to make sure your air conditioning is now working well.
The re gas process is a common occurrence, and we complete many of these in the warmer months. It’s the most common A/C service we offer. But there’s some additional attention that your vehicle may require.
Air Con Re Gas or Air Con Service?
A re gas for your air conditioning system is important. But there are other components that have to be looked after too. These will make sure your system runs at its best.
Let’s take a look at what we do during an air con service so that it can blow out cool air and free of any nasty odours.
● Inspection of A/C condenser fan for correct operation.
● Clean the A/C condenser and take out leaves and debris to improve heat exchange.
● Inspect and report the condition of the compressor drive belt.
● Under bonnet A/C pipes inspected for security.
● Replace the refrigerant receiver dryer or accumulator.
● Inspect / replace the pollen filter to prevent pollutants.
● A/C de bug treatment to decontaminate your system and kill bacteria that builds up in your cabin vents.
An air con service is recommended every 24 months with a re gas check every 12 months. This ensures the necessary preventative maintenance has been completed, which minimises the cost of expensive system faults caused by lack of inspection.
How to Maintain Your A/C system and Prevent Faults
One of the big reasons for faults is the misconception that you should only use your air con system during the warmer months of the year. In fact, one of the best ways to keep it in good working condition is to use it all year round.
This is a great way to dehumidify the air inside your car and de-mist windows. Plus, it keeps your A/C compressor working too.
Have you learned a lot about your car’s air conditioning system? Hopefully the answer is yes. But what should you do if it’s still not working like it should?
We always recommend giving us a ring at EAC Telford. We know everything there is to know about air con systems and how to get them back to their best. You don’t have to suffer during the hot weather – you should be enjoying it.
Give us a call as we’re here to help on 01952 980566
