As the heat of summer approaches, it is important for car owners to take a few minutes and review the condition of their vehicle’s air-conditioner. Having a properly functioning air conditioner will not only ensure that you have a comfortable ride, but it can also protect your health.
Tips for Maintaining Your Car’s Air-Conditioner
Allow the air-conditioning system to run for at least a few minutes every single week regardless of what the outside temperature may be. This way, all of the hoses, valves, and pumps in the system will stay well lubricated. During the winter months, the automobile’s air-conditioning can be used to remove humidity from the car and to remove moisture from windows.
During regularly scheduled car maintenance, have the mechanic review refrigerant levels and make adjustments when necessary. Reviewing the air conditioner is not always something that a mechanic will do as part of a standard check, and it can be easily overlooked.
Every two years, recharge your vehicle’s air-conditioning system with fresh gas and lubricant.
Health Benefits of Maintaining Your Car’s Air-Conditioning Unit
Your car’s air-conditioning system comes equipped with a filter designed to keep pollen and other particulates from entering the vehicle. Over time, this filter can become clogged. In addition to reducing airflow, a clogged filter can lead to unpleasant odors entering the vehicle. A clogged filter is a breeding ground for bacteria that can eventually lead to “sick car syndrome.” Periodically replacing the cabin filter as well as using an air-conditioning cleanser can alleviate this problem.
A well-functioning air-conditioning unit makes driving in a car during summer months more tolerable. Providing regular maintenance to your car’s air-conditioning unit will not only guarantee that it functions well, but will protect your health.
The History of Automotive Air-Conditioning
Air-conditioning has come standard in vehicles for more than a decade. When the air-conditioning system is broken, we miss it immediately. Interestingly, automobile air-conditioning dates back to the late 1930’s, and by the late 1960’s, more than 50 percent of vehicles produced had some form of air-conditioning.
Prior to 1996, Freon was the refrigerant that was used in automobile air-conditioning units. However, once it was understood that Freon was damaging the ozone layer, the United States and then subsequently other countries required a safer refrigerant to be used.
The air-conditioning unit in a vehicle has three parts. It has a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. In order for the unit to function smoothly, each of these parts must be regularly serviced and maintained.
The Parts of an Automotive Air-Conditioning Unit
When refrigerant enters the compressor, it is a low-pressure gas. The compressor then puts the gas under pressure and then sends it to the 
condenser.
In the condenser, the pressurized gas is cooled until it forms a high-pressure liquid that will be used to cool the automobile. From there, the liquid refrigerant will pass through a receiver dryer that will remove any water from the refrigerant. After passing through the thermal expansion valve, the refrigerant reaches the evaporator.
The evaporator is the only part of the air-conditioning unit not located in the engine compartment. The refrigerant will enter the evaporator at around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling the evaporator coil. A fan that blows over the evaporator coil pushes the cold air into the cabin.
As the refrigerant leaves the evaporator coil, it is heated by the temperature of the car, and using heat transference, takes the heat of the car with it as it enters the compressor and starts the process again.
Proper air-conditioning maintenance, including replacing refrigerant, changing filters and cleaning the coils periodically is a must for the unit to function properly.
