Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Service
Your air conditioning system is part of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, and one of the key components in your vehicle’s comfort-control center. Your air conditioning system is a sealed system. One of the most common causes of an air conditioning system failure is refrigerant leaking. Leaking refrigerant can damage your vehicle’s compressor. We recommend getting your vehicle’s air conditioning system serviced every two years or at the first sign of trouble. When your air conditioner system stops cooling, it is crucial to have the system repaired promptly and not to leave it dormant. The longer you leave the system in a nonoperational condition the more expense you will incur repairing it.
The HVAC System provides proper in vehicle climate conditions. It de-humidifies the vehicle interior and helps to clear fogged windshields. The following are a few symptoms of a malfunctioning HVAC System:
- Improper vent air temperature
- Low or no vent air flow
- Smell or fogging of windshield during defroster operation
- Growling, grinding or squealing noise during air conditioning or heater operation
- Overheating
The following are the components of an Air Conditioning System:
- A/C Compressor
- Condenser
- Condenser/Radiator Fan
- Receiver/Dryer or Accumulator
- Blower Fan
- Expansion Valve/Orifice Tube
- Evaporator
- Refrigerant
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The A/C Compressor is the refrigerant pump, and is controlled by the on-board computer and must be lubricated internally. The condenser allows heat removed from the passenger compartment to be transferred to the under hood area. The condenser/radiator fan assists in removing heat generated by proper condenser and radiator operation. It is electrically or hydraulically controlled and is also controlled by the on-board computer. The receiver/dryer or accumulator stores liquid refrigerant and removes moisture from flowing refrigerant. The blower fan moves air inside the vehicle across the evaporator and/or heater core and is controlled by the climate control panel. The expansion valve/orifice tube creates pressure differential allowing refrigerant to remove heat from the passenger compartment. The evaporator allows heat to be removed via refrigerant from the passenger’s compartment to be carried to the condenser.
Refrigerant is the substance that can be vaporized and condensed between certain temperatures. It must be kept pure and free of contaminates and moisture. R-134A is the approved refrigerant for today’s vehicles.
It is important that refrigerants not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere during the air conditioning system service since all refrigerants currently used in automotive air conditioning systems are controlled substances. Our automotive technicians use a sealed, environmentally friendly process that captures the refrigerant, cleans it, replenishes it, and returns it to your auto air conditioning system good as new.
Freon (the refrigerant R-12 or CFC-12) was determined by the EPA to be destroying the ozone layer and in 1995 all production ceased. All air conditioning systems built before 1995 use Freon that is now very expensive and difficult to find. We offer a retrofit service that enables your air conditioning system to use R-134A refrigerant (which is now being used in all vehicles manufactured after 1995). The retrofit pays for itself in the cost savings on the refrigerant.
The following are the components of a Heater System:
- Radiator
- Radiator/Heater Hoses
- Blower Fan
- Thermostat
- Heater Core/Heater Control Valve
The radiator transfers heat from the coolant to the outside air. It is constructed of aluminum, steel or composite plastics. The radiator/heater hoses provide convenient transfer and routing of coolant to the heater core. They are constructed of reinforced rubber compounds. The blower fan moves air inside the vehicle and is controlled by the climate control panel. The thermostat regulates flow of the coolant and allows the vehicle to reach and maintain the proper operating temperature and allow sufficient heat for passenger comfort. The heater core contains hot engine coolant that allows proper temperatures to be maintained in the passenger compartment. The heater control valve regulates coolant flow to the heater core.
Our automotive technicians at Lucky’s Auto Service can service and repair all of the components of your HVAC System. Keeping your air conditioning and heating system operating at peak efficiency not only adds comfort to your driving, but also has added health benefits!