Knowing More about Automotive Air Conditioning System
Nowadays, the advancements in automotive air conditioning systems have given us the same comfort that we have in our homes or at work as we cruise the road in our cars. We can make easy transitions from warming to cooling or vice versa by just simply pushing some buttons, sliding a lever or turning knobs. These car comforts make driving more enjoyable even though we do not really understand how these changes occur. It is very critical to have basic knowledge regarding your automotive air conditioning system because this will guide you in deciding what is best for your system especially on repair options.
Generally, there are three types of automotive air conditioning systems. Although each one differs from the other, they have common components that make up the system. These are the compressors, evaporators, condensers, orifice tubes, receiver-driers, and thermal expansion valves and accumulators.
Since the introduction and spread of the automotive air conditioning system sometime early in the 1940s, the system went through various innovations. Many complex improvements like computerized automatic temperature control, which can adjust automatically after you set it at a desired temperature, have been added to the modern air conditioning system. Generally, these changes in the air conditioning system made it more durable and efficient.
These change complications were further added with strict environmental regulations that direct and affect even simple tasks. According to extensively conducted studies, it has been proven that refrigerants have damaging effects to the ozone layer. Thus, a landmark agreement, Montreal Protocol to be exact, was signed by many countries throughout the world banning the manufacture of some refrigerants. Sometime in the 1980s, members of countries of the United Nations joined forces in Montreal, Canada and introduced the agreement that would limit the production and use of chemicals that could harm the ozone layer.
This made the life of an auto mechanic a bit difficult since he was now required to be certified so that he could purchase refrigerant and repair automotive air conditioning systems. Apart from that, if the system has to be opened for repair, then his shop must have equipment (usually expensive) that would secure these ozone-depleting chemicals. In short, if the auto mechanics had to spend more to restore your automotive air conditioner system, it would also lead to a higher charge.
Along the way, you may encounter unfamiliar words your mechanic would say like “retrofit” and “alternative refrigerant”. The auto mechanic might offer you the option between “retrofitting” or merely repairing and recharging your automotive air conditioning system. When he says “retrofitting”, he means making necessary modifications on your system using the newly acknowledged, “environmentally friendly” refrigerant called R-134a. Depending on how old your automotive air conditioning system is, you may be required to have bigger or stronger parts to stand its high pressure characteristics because it applies a higher operating pressure.
If this is done to your system, it will surely add to your repair costs. If this is not done properly, it will reduce cooling efficiency that may be tantamount to reduced comfort and increased operating costs.