Air Conditioning Re-charge

Many vehicles are fitted with air conditioning and climate control systems as standard. Like other parts of your car, the air-conditioning system needs regular attention to make sure it is working efficiently to ensure you experience maximum driving comfort.

Your car air conditioning system depletes over time, losing up to 15% of its refrigerant every year. This can leave it underperforming and depending on how much refrigerant it has lost, it may not provide any cold air at all. A poorly performing car air conditioning system can also cause a build up of fungus, bacteria and other microbes growing inside the evaporator core, causing a smell, sometimes an allergic reaction, even leading to legionnaire’s disease.

If your Air-Con system has not been recharged in 2 years it will dramatically reduce efficiency, becoming less effective, working harder and putting more strain on the engine – which uses more fuel. Car manufacturers recommend your Air-Con system is recharged with gas and lubricant every 2 years. This service is not part of routine vehicle servicing, so if your vehicle is more than 2 years old, it is probably due a recharge.

Your air conditioning is a lot like your kitchen fridge, the refrigeration fluid doesn’t circulate when it’s switched off. This fluid has oil in it, and when it’s not circulating there’s no lubrication. Seals can then dry out, shrink and let the gas slowly leak away, leading to less cold air. Your system is also useful in winter. Air conditioning systems create dry warm air rather than the normal humid air from outside and this de-mists your car windscreen more quickly. This is why you should have your car air con system serviced regularly.

Phoenix now offers a complete air conditioning recharge service available at centres at Wimbledon and Croyden. The process can also include a system de-bug to clear bacterial build up from within the system, which will remove any unpleasant odours. We will replace and recharge lubricant and refrigerant levels in line with your manufacturer’s recommendation. To keep your Air-Con system fully charged all year, book your vehicle’s air conditioning system refresh today.