With the warmer weather upon us now is a good time to make sure that your air conditioning is running smoothly. Keeping the air con in your car working properly keeps you cool and comfortable when driving. If you notice that the system is not blowing as cold as normal it will certainly need some professional attention.  

Why does air con stop working? 

Low refrigerant is the most common reason. This could be caused by a system leak or age. Worst case is that the compressor has failed.  

As air con servicing is not part of the standard service schedule set out by vehicle manufacturers it often gets overlooked. However, many manufacturers now recommend a separate air con service schedule, on average, every 2 years. 

How do you make it blow cold again? 

Recharging the air con system will ensure it’s working properly. This involves removing all the refrigerant, pressure testing the system to check for leaks, removing all moisture and replacing with fresh refrigerant. 

Recharging your air con can also help avoid costly repair bills. The system’s refrigerant is extremely cold which helps cool down the air con compressor. With little or no refrigerant, the compressor would get dangerously hot and fail, thus need replacing. 

The process takes about an hour to complete but there are strict rules on who can carry out your recharge. The law states a company must use appropriately trained technicians certified to work on equipment containing F gases. 

The added health benefits of air con servicing 

Whether you are using your vehicle heater or air conditioning system, condensation can build due to dark, damp and warm conditions. This can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, mould and fungi.  

When the system is turned on, bacteria is drawn through the vehicle’s air vents into the car’s interior and straight into your airways, causing infections, sore throats, allergic reactions, eye irritation and unpleasant and musty odours.  

While an air con recharge won’t help resolve this issue, additional cleaning treatments will kill bacterial build up and remove odours coming from the air vents. These can be carried out at the same time as the air con is being recharged. 

If you’d like to have your air conditioning recharged and cleaned just give us a call on 01202 694758 or email us at info@star-tech.co.uk. Our specialist technicians are certified to do this work.