1) How often should I have my A/C system serviced?

We only recommend servicing your A/C when it is not performing well.

2) Why do A/C systems need service?

Automotive A/C systems are subjected to the heat, vibration and movement that go along with being in a car. That causes the refrigerant to seep out over a period of time. The average life on a charge seems to be between 2 and 5 years.

3) What goes wrong?

The most common problem is a low charge from the gradual loss of refrigerant past seals or through hoses. Less commonly, components leak, compressors become damaged and electrical devices fail. Sometimes there is a problem in the heating system that causes the A/C to become warm.

4) Where do we start?

We begin with a free visual check to see if the A/C components look OK and whether the compressor is turning on. If it appears that the system is low on refrigerant, we recommend complete A/C service.

5) Can you just add refrigerant instead of the complete service?

No. Low refrigerant is frequently not the only cause of the problem. Besides that, it is illegal to charge a system that is known to have leaks and it is bad for the environment.

6) What if you service my A/C and it still does not work?

If we find problems during the service that will prevent the A/C from working properly, we will stop and you will be billed for the time and materials that it took to reach that conclusion. You will be informed of your options before we spend any more money. If your A/C system functions properly at the time of the service but returns with a problem within 30 days we will spend up to 30 minutes in additional labor to try to identify the cause of the problem.

Note: The most common problem is a refrigerant leak that cannot be identified until dye is added to the system. In these cases it is sometimes necessary to perform the service and have you return in order to find the leak.