AC car recharge kits environmentally friendly
The cool air that blasts out of your vehicle’s climate vents depends on the flow of refrigerant. Over time, your air conditioning system may lose pressure and you’ll need to recharge it. Recharging simply adds the right amount of refrigerant to restore pressure and get your cool air flowing again. However, over-the-counter AC recharge kits can do more harm than good by contaminating your air conditioning system with water and by using the wrong type of refrigerant.
Many DIY a/c car recharge kit cans feature a stop leak mechanism that plugs small leaks as you’re filling your system. But these systems can’t plug leaks that are already present. They can also cause damage by overfilling the system, clogging the compressor and other components with debris. The overflow of refrigerant can also contaminate the environment by leaking into the atmosphere.
Most recharge cans contain the standard R-134a refrigerant that’s found in most cars. But the air conditioning systems of classic cars and newer vehicles may take different types of refrigerant. The air conditioning system of your car should have a label on it, or you can look up its specifications online to find out what type of refrigerant it uses. Never mix refrigerant types — it’s dangerous and can create unsafe chemical reactions that damage your car’s system.
Are AC car recharge kits environmentally friendly?
Manual recharge cans allow contaminants to enter your car’s A/C system, too. Adding water to your refrigerant can result in caustic chemicals that corrode metal and deteriorate important components. The process is called “hydrolyzing,” and it’s why it’s important to have an ASE-certified mechanic diagnose your problem and make repairs as needed.
If your car’s air conditioning system has a leak, then it’s not just a waste of money – it’s a major environmental hazard. Older A/C refrigerant, known as Freon, depletes our planet’s protective ozone layer. Leaking A/C systems continue releasing harmful refrigerant into the atmosphere after you recharge them with a do-it-yourself kit.
A DIY a/c recharge can may mask your car’s problems. It won’t fix a broken compressor, seal, hose or other component; it will just put more refrigerant in your system and cover up the underlying issue until the next time you recharge your air conditioner. Instead of relying on these do-it-yourself kits, bring your vehicle to an ASE-certified technician at Captio Subaru for professional service and repair.
An ASE-certified technician can evacuate the A/C system, clean out all contaminants and debris, and replace the faulty components. They can also test the pressure of your A/C system and ensure it has the right amount of refrigerant, which is measured by weight rather than volume. The system should also be evacuated before each recharge to avoid overfilling it. In addition, a certified technician can use the proper tools to properly disconnect and reconnect the hoses in order to avoid damaging the system. To do so, they’ll use a special tool designed to only connect to the high or low pressure port of your A/C system.