A/C Services in Highland, IL

What is Auto Air Conditioning?

You might be surprised to learn exactly how your auto air conditioning system works. While it’s commonly assumed that the AC generates cool air, that’s not quite the case. Actually, it blows hot air, with all the heat removed through a peculiarly complex, multi-step process. In a nutshell, your auto air conditioning works by condensing the refrigerant (Freon), which in turn raises its temperature. This passes through a dryer, where contaminants and moisture are removed, then into an accumulator where it’s slowed down further, leading to a loss of both pressure and temperature. The evaporator then cools down that air further still before the ventilation system pushes it out—and you experience it as a blast of chilly air!

Why You Need an AC Check

There are a couple of main reasons why it’s smart to get air conditioning service work done. The first is that you’re going to run out of refrigerant eventually, and will need to have it replaced. (You use roughly 15 percent of your refrigerant each year.) In addition, wear and tear to each individual piece of your AC unit can cause long-term problems, but routine maintenance prevents minor problems from turning into larger, more expensive ones. It’s ultimately in your best interest as a vehicle owner to make preventative maintenance a priority, and that includes getting a regular AC check.

Get AC Repair Done at Meineke

As you consider your AC repair needs, consider visiting Meineke in Highland IL, where it’s easy to schedule an air conditioning service check as part of your routine vehicle maintenance. It’s a convenient and affordable way to extend the life of your car or truck—including the air conditioning! Schedule your appointment by visiting the Meineke website.

How Frequent are Auto Air Conditioning Problems?

The good news is that most vehicle owners don’t have very frequent auto air conditioning problems—and you can minimize the risk further still by investing in a routine AC check. Having an AC recharge every year or so is likely enough.

How Your Auto Air Conditioning REALLY Works

A lot of drivers have the auto air conditioning system all wrong. They assume it’s pretty straightforward, creating and then disseminating cool air. Actually, it’s quite a bit more complicated than that. In a multi-step process that begins at the compressor and ends at your air vents, the auto air conditioning actually creates warm air, then strips out all the moisture and contaminants—cooling and depressurizing it all the while. Obviously, this requires a lot of work, so it stands to reason that the auto air conditioning system might need to be inspected and repaired from time to time.

Why Getting an AC Check is So Important

There are a couple of things that can cause your auto air conditioning system to malfunction. The first is that it simply runs out of refrigerant; a regular AC check will help prevent this from happening. Also, your AC can simply undergo too much wear and tear. Any one component can malfunction, but addressing the problem early on prevents the repair needs from becoming too big or expensive.