If your car’s air conditioning is not working, the problem is typically with the refrigerant levels. You’ll notice that your car is either taking a long time to cool, or not at all. This makes it difficult and uncomfortable to drive, and unfortunately, you will probably discover there are problems in the middle of summer, when you need the air conditioning the most.
Additional signs that refrigerant levels are low include a greasy puddle under your car or icing around the evaporator coil or refrigerant lines. If you notice these issues, an AC recharge might be in order.
How much does it cost to recharge the AC?
An AC recharge costs $150 – $454 for parts and labor. However, this ballpark can be easily exceeded as newer cars move to the newer R1234yf refrigerant that is more expensive per ounce and more labor intensive.
Here’s how much the complete AC recharge service might cost you.
Parts costs
Cars use one of three refrigerants. The oldest of cars use the R12 refrigerant which is no longer manufactured, whereas the newest of cars use the R1234yf refrigerant. Everything in between uses the R134a refrigerant. Different refrigerants’ per-unit prices vary a lot and this influences the cost of your repair:
| Refrigerant | Unit cost |
|---|---|
| R12 | No longer manufactured |
| R134a | $10-$19/pound |
| R1234yf | $120-$140/pound |
The typical car takes 16 to 24 ounces of refrigerant but newer cars using the R1234yf refrigerant might only need as little as six ounces, making up for the expensive per-unit costs of the R1234yf refrigerant.
A car needing 24 ounces of R134a at $19 per pound would cost $28.50, while a car requiring six ounces of R1234yf at $140 per pound would cost $52.50. Although R1234yf is significantly more expensive per pound—up to 15 times more for mechanics and dealers—drivers can expect to pay less than twice as much for the service because it requires less refrigerant.
Labor costs
Labor costs are estimated to be just under one hour to two hours of shop time. Most mechanics charge between $75 and $151 per hour for labor. These rates vary based on your location and if you go to a mechanic or dealership.
Note that some shops prefer to roll the labor cost into the refrigerant costs – meaning you pay a lot more per ounce but do not pay a separate labor charge. Other shops will charge you a flat fee instead, so you might not see labor charges as a line item.
Where to recharge car AC?
In order to work on a vehicle ACs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that technicians need specialized training and certification under section 609 of the Clean Air Act. Therefore, not all garages and mechanics can repair your compressor. In addition, the garage must have the right equipment to recharge your AC system, which costs thousands of dollars.
Can I recharge my car AC myself?
An alternative way to save money is to recharge the AC yourself. You can buy AC recharge kits that come with a gauge and refrigerant refill – costing you only $33 to $70 for a R-134a kit (14 to 22 ounces) at Autozone. A R1234yf kit costs double for less volume, between $85 to $140 for (11 to 14 ounces). One kit should be enough to service your vehicle.
However, doing this is a bit complicated and you might not be getting to the root of your problem which could be a leak somewhere or a failure in some other part of the AC system.
Bottom line
Driving without an air conditioner is not an option for some drivers, especially those commuting in 100+ degree weather. If you notice your AC is taking too long to blow cool air, check your refrigerant levels and recharge your car’s AC. Not only will this make your drive enjoyable, but you will prevent your vehicle from overheating.
FAQ
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Is it worth recharging a car AC
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Is freon the same as coolant?
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Ashley Eneriz is an editor and finance writer with over 15 years of experience in a wide range of financial topics, including car loans and insurance. In editing for Jerry, Ashley aims to make all car material reader-friendly for both the new driver and car enthusiast alike. Prior to joining Jerry, Ashley was the financial deputy editor for ConsumerAffairs. Her work is featured on Forbes, Yahoo, MSN, The Hartford and more.
