Air-Con Service: Why Annual Maintenance Pays Off

An air conditioning system doesn't just cool the air in summer – it also dehumidifies it, an effect that helps clear misted-up windows quickly in winter. To keep doing that reliably, it needs regular care, even if it still seems to be working fine.

Why refrigerant disappears on its own

Even in a technically sound system, the closed circuit is never one hundred per cent airtight. Through hose connections, seals and the compressor, around 10% of the refrigerant escapes each year for purely physical reasons. If the level drops too far, the system cools noticeably less well and may even stop engaging at all. More problematic, though: the refrigerant also carries the compressor oil around the system. If there isn't enough refrigerant, the compressor runs without adequate lubrication – in the worst case it's permanently damaged, and an affordable service turns into an expensive repair.

What an air-con service includes

During the annual air-con service, the system is first evacuated and checked for leaks, then refilled with exactly the specified amount of refrigerant and compressor oil. This usually includes:

• A leak check of the entire system to catch larger leaks early
• Replacing the cabin filter, so pollen, fine dust and outside odours stay outside
• Disinfecting the evaporator, to remove bacteria, mould spores and the typical musty smell when you switch it on

Important in winter too

Many drivers switch the air conditioning off entirely in winter to save fuel – but it should still run for a few minutes regularly even in the cold season. That's the only way to keep the seals supple and prevent a film of bacteria forming in the evaporator, which would otherwise show up as an unpleasant smell come spring.

An annual check, regardless of season, is therefore the cheapest insurance against an expensive compressor failure, while also keeping the cabin air clean.

How to tell a service is due

A clear warning sign is when cooling performance noticeably drops or the air from the vents no longer gets properly cold, even with the fan on full. A faint hissing or clicking when you switch the air conditioning on, as well as a musty smell that only clears after a few seconds, are also typical signs that a service is due.

We're happy to check this for you here in Teltow.