Car Air Conditioning Recharge: Everything You Need to Know

Having a functional air conditioning system within your car can help ensure your journey is as comfortable as possible. Whether you’re heading to work, going on a family road trip or driving long distances, having a good air conditioning system will make your car a comfortable place. Over time however, you may find that your car’s air conditioning system is losing refrigerant or having issues.

By understanding why it is important to look after your car’s air conditioning system, you’ll be able to spot any issues. This guide goes over what an air conditioning recharge is, how to tell if your car needs one and why it should be done by a professional.

What is an Air Conditioning Recharge?

An air conditioning recharge (also known as an AC regas) looks at the levels of refrigerant and tops them up if needed.

Refrigerant is what helps the air conditioning system move heat around and give a cool airflow. If there is not enough refrigerant then your air conditioning may not work as well.

Usually, a professional will look at your system, extract any refrigerant, and then top up your system with the correct amount of refrigerant based on the car manufactures requirements.

The system may also be looked at for any leaks or issues. If there is a leak or part that is not working correctly you should deal with this issue.

Signs You Need an Air Conditioning Recharge

Knowing the signs your air conditioning is not working correctly will help you get it serviced.

1. Warm Air

One of the most obvious signs that you need to get your air conditioning serviced is if the air coming out of your vents is warmer than expected. This could be due to a lack of refrigerant, or could be due to an electrical fault, issues with the compressor or other issues.

2. Not Cooling as Well

If your car is taking longer to cool down or not cooling at all, then you may need to get your air conditioning looked at.

3. Strange Noises

Strange noises can occur when turning on the air conditioning. This can be due to an issue with the compressor or fan. This issue may not be fixed by a recharge, so getting a professional to look at it.

4. Unpleasant Smell

Unpleasant smells coming from your vents can be due to damp, bacteria or mould in parts of the system. Whilst this isn’t necessarily a sign that you have low refrigerant, it means you may need to clean the system.

How is an Air Conditioning Recharge Done?

An air conditioning recharge will be done by a professional and will include:

Inspection – The air conditioning system will be looked at to see how well it is cooling.

Refrigerant Extraction – The refrigerant will be extracted using the correct equipment.

Inspection – The system will be checked for any leaks or issues. Any extra repairs may be needed.

Refill – Correct amount of refrigerant will be added to the system based on the car manufacturers requirements.

Testing – The system will be tested.

This will vary depending on your car, type of refrigerant and how well your air conditioning is working.

Benefits of Looking After Your Air Conditioning System

Ensuring your air conditioning system is working well can help with:

Comfortable Cabin

Having a working air conditioning system will ensure that your cabin is comfortable.

Helps with Demisting

Your air conditioning can help remove moisture from the air to help demist your windows. This can help improve visibility.

Spot Issues Early

Regular servicing will help you spot any issues such as leaks in the refrigerant, worn parts or other issues. Not all issues will mean you need a recharge, so it is important that you get an accurate diagnosis.

More Reliable

Looking after your air conditioning system based on the manufacturers guidelines can help it work as intended.

How Often Should I Get My Air Conditioning Recharged?

There is no set time between getting your air conditioning recharged. It depends on the car manufacturer, type of refrigerant system and how well it is working.

The refrigerant is within a sealed system and shouldn’t need to be topped up often. If you are finding that your air conditioning is not cooling as well as it should, have a technician look at it to see if there is a leak or loss of refrigerant.

If you are noticing that your air conditioning is not cooling as well as it should, book in for an inspection.

How Much Does an Air Conditioning Recharge Cost?

The cost of an air conditioning recharge in the UK will vary dependent on the type of car, type of refrigerant, amount of refrigerant needed and who is doing the work.

Some cars use different types of refrigerant. This can affect the cost of the service. If there is an issue with the system such as a leak or faulty part then this may increase the cost of diagnosing the issue.

When looking at prices ensure you know what refrigerant is being used and what is included in the service. Contact Roberts Tyres Ltd to find out what services are available and what the prices are.

Why Choose Roberts Tyres Ltd?

Taking care of your vehicle is not just about keeping your tyres and engine in good condition. Your air conditioning plays a big part in keeping you comfortable whilst driving.

We understand how important it is to keep your vehicle in good condition. If you are finding that your air conditioning is not cooling as well as it should, getting a professional to look at it can help you find the issue.

Check with us that we can do an air conditioning recharge for your car. Let us know what issues you are having with your cooling.

Conclusion

Getting your car air conditioned recharged can help improve the cooling if there is not enough refrigerant. It is important to find out why the issue is occurring. If you are having issues with your air conditioning such as it not cooling, strange noises or warm air then you may need to get it looked at by a professional.

By regularly servicing, getting your air conditioning looked at and using the right refrigerant you can ensure it works well. If you are looking to keep your car comfortable throughout the year then Roberts Tyres Ltd can help you with information on what services are available.

If you are having issues with your car air conditioning then get it looked at to see if you need a recharge or any repairs.