Put the conditioner or the client in the bottle? How much does it cost to charge an air conditioner and maintain a refrigeration system? When should the refrigerant be charged?

Once upon a time, air conditioning in a car was a luxury. Only owners of limousines and premium cars could afford this undoubted pleasure on hot days. However, over time, everything has changed and now air conditioning is standard on almost all available cars. However, from time to time the owner of such a vehicle should recharge the air conditioner. How much does it cost?

Why is the car air conditioner refueling?

The matter is quite simple - compression and expansion of the refrigerant leads to a decrease in its volume. Therefore, in sealed systems, it is necessary to fill the air conditioning system every few seasons. In cars where there are problems with tightness, it is necessary to eliminate leaks first.

When visiting the workshop, it is worth choosing a full service air conditioner. It's not just about a lot of factors. It is also important to ensure that moisture and any contaminants are removed from the system.

How much does it cost to refuel the air conditioner?

The scope of the service, the tightness of the system and the type of refrigerant affect the amount of the final invoice for the visit to the workshop. How much does it cost to recharge an air conditioner? Price for filling it with substance r134a it is 8 euros for every 100g. Typically, standard air conditioning systems contain 500 g of refrigerant. Charging an air conditioning compressor from scratch costs about 40 euros for gas alone.

What else should be done while refueling the air conditioner?

However, these are not the only expenses that await you. To do this, choose:

• ozonation;
• replacement of the condenser and cabin filter;
• electronic and temperature measurements (air conditioning efficiency).

These steps are not always necessary, but they may be necessary. In extreme cases, the cost can exceed 100 euros.

Adding coolant

Experts say unequivocally - an air conditioner that requires constant replenishment of the refrigerant level is maintainable. Annual service visits just to top up coolant are like topping up engine oil because of leaks.

Also remember that the air conditioner does not run dry. Along with the refrigerant, lubricating oil flows in the circuit, which also wears out over the years. Refueling the air conditioner without servicing and replacing other elements can lead to faster wear of the entire system.

Refueling the air conditioner in the car - complete diagnostics and maintenance of the air conditioner

From time to time, you should go to the workshop for a complete service of the air conditioner. Thanks to him, you will find out what condition the system is in, whether it needs repair and how efficiently it works. When your vehicle is at the mechanic's, the following will be done:

● computer diagnostics;

● cleaning the system (creating a vacuum);

● replenishment of the amount of refrigerant;

● temperature measurement from air supply;

● replacement of the cabin dryer and filter;

● ozonation or ultrasonic cleaning.

What are these actions and why are they needed?

Computer diagnostics of the air conditioner.

This is the main action performed at the very beginning of the site. Thanks to this, the mechanic can find out if the air conditioner is working properly and check the list of errors stored in the controller. Often this study alone provides a lot of information about the state of the climate.

Temperature measurement during air conditioner operation

To test the efficiency of the entire cooling system, the mechanic measures how quickly the air conditioner reaches the correct temperature. For this, an ordinary thermometer with a sensor is used, which must be placed near the air vent.

Removal of the fungus of the ventilation ducts (ozonation)

Removal of the fungus is necessary during inspection and maintenance. Before charging the air conditioner, it must be disinfected. Thanks to ozonation, you can get rid of microbes and fungi, as well as mold and other dangerous compounds that get inside the evaporator.

Creating a vacuum in the system

What is this activity for? After removing the old refrigerant, a vacuum must be created. It must be kept for at least 30 minutes. This way you can get rid of all refrigerant and oil residues.

Replacing the dryer and cabin filter

Moisture can accumulate in the air conditioning system, and the dehumidifier collects it in one place. Of course, it won't last forever and you will have to replace it after a while.

The same applies to filter replacement, which is definitely cheaper than a dryer. However, it is often more difficult to disassemble. The filter ensures sufficient air purity at maximum air flow.

Adding coolant

Once you get rid of the old refrigerant and grease, you can proceed to refueling the air conditioner. Of course, the entire system must be tight, clean and free of defects (this must be checked beforehand).

Will recharging your car air conditioner become a luxury again?

At the time of replacing the previously used r134a refrigerant with r1234yf, prices for both were high. Why? The old refrigerant was still in demand, but after it was withdrawn from the market, its availability dropped sharply. The new substance cost almost 1000% more than r134a when it hit the market.

Now the prices for the new refrigerant have stabilized and are no longer so high. There is no longer a price gap between gases, but only because the previously cheap refrigerant has become much more expensive. No matter what gas you use, the cost of refilling your air conditioner will be hefty.

Is there a cheaper way to charge the air conditioner?

If you are sure that nothing is going on in the air conditioner other than a small loss of gas, you can buy a refrigerant kit and charge the air conditioner yourself. On the Internet, you will also find the products needed to seal the system. Of course, sellers promoting individual offers will praise their performance, but this doesn't have to be what you expect. At best, it will work for a while, after which you will again have to look for a way to resurrect the air conditioner.

Or maybe HBO?

Refueling the air conditioner with gas is a common practice of unscrupulous traders (not to be confused with bona fide traders). Propane-butane is very cheap and can be physically pumped into the system, which is why many of them prepare cars for sale in this way. 

Gas and air conditioning - a recipe for trouble

Why not use this method? LPG is primarily a combustible gas, which clearly excludes it from the list of possible applications in air conditioning systems. It is also heavier than air. As a result of a leak, it will not run away, but will accumulate near the surface. So quite a bit is enough for an explosion.

For your own comfort and safety, you should take care of the air conditioner and service it regularly. Refueling the air conditioner is not cheap, but it turns out to be necessary. Remember to avoid LPG filled air conditioners because unscrupulous sellers use this method to scam... the buyer in the bottle.