What Is an Aircon Regas and Why Do I Need One?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 8 months ago
5 min read
- Aircon
- Maintenance
FixMyCar explains what an aircon regas is and why you might need one.
Each year, there is a significant increase in demand for aircon regas work from drivers during the summer months. Car interiors are excellent at trapping and storing heat, making them uncomfortable places if you don't have a functioning cooling system.
Fortunately, having your aircon regassed is quick and affordable.
Contents
What is an aircon regas?
A car's air conditioning system uses refrigerant gas and a compressor to cool the air in the cabin. Surprisingly, over 10% of refrigerant gas escapes through the system yearly, which means the system's power drops significantly over time.
Your air conditioning is not checked during an MOT or service; this is something you must arrange separately. When it stops blowing cold air, the system probably needs an aircon regas, which involves replacing old refrigerant with new gas.
What is involved in an aircon regas?
These are the steps involved:
First, the mechanic will check for any leaks in the system that need repairing.
Next, they will remove the old refrigerant and lubricant from your car before replacing them.
During this process, a system cleanout will usually be performed to remove bacteria.
The whole process should take around 45 minutes as no new parts are required. The air conditioning in your car should be noticeably improved after a regas if you haven’t had one for over two years.
If you want to ensure your air conditioning stays in tip-top condition, the best thing you can do is to use it regularly. Here's how to keep cool in summer with and without aircon.
What aircon gas is in my car?
In 2017, a new regulation was brought in requiring a specific type of aircon gas to be used in all new models. This gas, or refrigerant, is known as HFO-1234yf. Compared to its predecessor, R134a, it produces 98% fewer harmful pollutants.
This guide explains how to find out what aircon gas your car uses.
Aircon leak repair
While a small amount of gas will naturally escape from your aircon each year, there might be a leak, causing the gas to run out faster than it should. If this is the case, the mechanic carrying out your aircon regas will identify the problem and do necessary repairs, usually for a small additional fee.
Mobile aircon regas
Did you know that you can get an aircon regas carried out from the comfort of your own home? Many mobile mechanics offer the service and will come to you rather than vice versa. That means you can even have an aircon regas done while at work.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers in a language they understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.