How Often Does Your Car AC Need Re-Gassing?

One of the essentials of car ownership is having an air conditioning unit that works well. With time, you may find out that your air conditioning system does not work quite as well as it did when your car was new. The first sign is often warm stuffy air even when you have fully cranked the unit.

Many car owners often pay minimal attention to their air conditioning systems. It is not a very difficult or expensive task to maintain your air-con system. With the right information on how your car air conditioning works and proper care, your unit will stay efficient and reliable even on the sweltering summer days

Your car’s air con system requires regular maintenance and servicing for it operate smoothly.

What Is Car Air Conditioning Regassing?

In case your air con system is not blowing as cold as should, it is an indication that it needs to be regassed. Regassing involves the removal of the old refrigerant gas from your unit and replacement with a new refrigerant. Varying weather and climatic conditions can gradually affect your car. Ensuring that your car’s interior is as comfortable as possible is part of taking care of your vehicle.

The evaporator is among the vital components of your vehicle’s air conditioning system. It is specially designed to eliminate the heat from inside the car and is an essential part of cooling and interior comfort. For this reason, it is the component that is most prone to corrosion from harmful acids. When corrosion occurs, your evaporator is often beyond repair.

Regular air con maintenance will ensure that this does not occur. The unit comprises of electrical wires, compressors, condensers and other advanced components. As such, it is crucial that you keep it repaired and regassed by an air conditioning specialist for optimal efficiency.

How Often Should You Get Your Car Aircon Regassed?

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that you service or regas your car’s air conditioning system every 1-2 years. There are some vehicles with air con units that can go for more than five years without needing to be regassed. That being said, it is recommendable that you service the unit due to the compressor. This is the belt-driven device that transfers the refrigerant into the condenser.

Even top of the range cars will exhibit about 10 % gas loss in the air conditioning unit each year thus leading to less cold air. Also, keep in mind that a poorly functioning unit will work your engine harder, therefore, resulting in increased fuel consumption.

You should ideally treat your air conditioning system as you would do to your engine or any other aspect of your car. You do not take your vehicle for servicing after it has died. As such, it is not worth putting off an air-con system check. Regular maintenance will help you avoid potential problems in future.

Leaking Car Air Conditioning System

If your heating and cooling system experience leakages, it probably means that your air con unit is up for service. Sometimes, you may detect a leak before the regassing is due. This is perfectly normal and emphasizes the need for regular checkups.

You may not see the leak, but an improperly functioning unit can be a sign of a leakage. This is particularly evident in older cars. A specialist has the expertise and tools to detect any leaks. The specialist will also inspect several things during air-con servicing.

These include:

• Drive belts pulleys
• Hoses
• Valve and thermostat operation
• Condenser temperature
• Suction line temperature
• Air vent temperature

The cost of air con servicing and regassing is dependent on the vehicle type and workshop location.

Other warning signs of a faulty air con system

When you turn on your air con system and detect a musty odor, your heating and cooling unit may be faulty. The smell may be an indication of bacterial overgrowth within the air vents. Mold and bacteria are a common occurrence in air con units and cause various respiratory issues. Servicing your system every 1-2 years can eliminate this problem.

Avoid Cheap  Car Air Conditioning Service Places

It is best to avoid cheap air conditioning service and regassing. Unscrupulous servicing workshops often replace the refrigerant with a highly flammable gas called M30. This gas can affect your car’s air-con system as well as your health and the environment.

It is advisable to enlist the services of qualified and experienced professionals due to the damaging effects of refrigerant gases. Some servicing companies implement recycling for environment protection purposes.

Overall, a properly maintained car air conditioning system will ensure that you stay cool during summer months but foster a healthy environment inside your car.