Air Con Questions, Answered

Common Air Con Questions

What refrigerant does my car need?

It depends on the age of your vehicle. Cars built before around 2015 almost always use R134a. Cars from 2015 onwards mostly use R1234yf, a newer gas brought in for environmental reasons.

The easiest way to check is the A/C nameplate under the bonnet, it'll state the refrigerant type directly. If you can't find it or aren't sure, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we'll confirm before we arrive.

Why does air con need regassing every year or two?

Refrigerant escapes slowly through seals and hoses even when nothing's wrong. It's a gradual, expected loss, not a fault. A car can lose a meaningful chunk of its gas over twelve months, which is why air con that felt fine last summer can feel weak this summer without any single part failing.

My air con isn't cold anymore, is that always low gas?

Usually, yes, but not always. Low refrigerant is the most common cause. Less commonly it's a failing compressor, a blocked condenser, or an electrical fault in the system. Our diagnostic check tells us which one it is before we touch anything, so you're not paying to guess.

Why does my air con smell musty when I turn it on?

That's bacteria and mould that's built up in the ducts and evaporator, not a problem with the gas itself. It's common in humid climates and happens gradually over time. Our anti-bacterial treatment clears it out.

Can I just top up the gas myself with a can from the shop?

You can, and it might make things feel cooler for a while. But a top-up doesn't remove the moisture and old oil already sitting in the system, and it can leave the system over-pressured rather than properly balanced. It's a temporary fix that can mask a bigger issue, particularly in the kind of heat we get here.

How do I know if I have a leak?

Refrigerant leaks are hard to spot on your own, unlike an oil leak there's no puddle to find. The system just runs low faster than it should. If your air con needed regassing again within a year of the last one, that's usually the sign. Our pressure test during a service picks this up.

Is mobile service as thorough as taking it to a garage?

Yes. We bring the same diagnostic and regas equipment a garage would use, we just bring it to you instead. Home, workplace, wherever suits, seven days a week, no booking a garage slot or being without your car for the day.

Do you work on anything other than cars?

Yes. Vans, agricultural machinery, coaches, boats, and aircraft, if it has air conditioning, we service it. We also work with local garages, car hire companies, and fleet operators, with monthly billing available for business accounts. See the Trade & Fleet section on our Services page for details.

What does a service cost?

R134a systems (cars up to 2015) start from €80. R1234yf systems (2015 onwards) start from €140. Anti-bacterial treatment starts from €35. Full pricing details and what's included are on our Services page.

How do I book?

WhatsApp us. Tell us your vehicle and roughly where you are, and we'll sort the rest before we arrive.