Clean and disinfect the air conditioning system in the car properly

The fact that microorganisms such as germs and bacteria in the car air conditioning system multiply is usually only noticed when the vehicle starts to smell unpleasant. But there are several possibilities to clean and disinfect the air conditioner. In this blog post we explain what is done at the air conditioner service and how one can maintain the system oneself. Furthermore, we also briefly explain the function and the components of the air conditioner in the car.

How does the air conditioning in a car actually work exactly?

The air conditioning system in the vehicle essentially consists of the following components:

compressor

condenser (cooler)

dryer

pressure switch

expansion valve

evaporator

The closed refrigerant circuit is connected with high and low pressure pipes. The process is short and sweet: the compressor is driven by the vehicle's belt drive. The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor and enters the condenser through the high-pressure line. The refrigerant leaves the condenser in liquid form. The dryer has the task of removing water and impurities from the refrigerant. The pressure switch monitors the pressure and the expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator. Like the condenser, the evaporator functions as a heat exchanger. The evaporator extracts the energy or heat required to change the aggregate state from liquid to gaseous again from the ambient air. This cools down the air and is transported into the interior by the fan. The compressor now sucks in the coolant again and the cycle in the car's air conditioning system starts all over again.

Disinfection of the air conditioning system in the car - why actually?

The natural condensation water can cause pollen and dirt to stick to the evaporator. Together with the moisture, mould can then form. If the car is parked and it warms up in the sun, these are optimal conditions for microorganisms, fungi and bacteria. Besides bad odours and the health consequences, these can also cause allergic reactions. Therefore, the air conditioning system should be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals.

What methods of air conditioner cleaning are there?

An easy way is to work with a air conditioning cleaner. It is available as a cleaning spray and as active foam. We will explain to you how both variants work! The cleaning spray is placed in the interior and automatically finds its way into the openings of the blower. Important: Do not remain sitting in the car during the application!

The step-by-step instructions for the cleaning spray:

• Remove the car, fold down the rear seats and push the front seats forward.
• Start the engine, turn on the air conditioning fully in recirculation mode and close all windows
• Shake the cleaning spray well and place it in the footwell of the rear seats
• activate the spray, leave the car and keep the doors closed
• After about 15 minutes the spray should be empty - ventilate the car well afterwards!

The instructions for an active foam air conditioning cleaner:

• Also shake the can well before disinfection
• Remove the cabin filter and spray the foam directly into the evaporator of the air conditioning system.
• Leave the foam to take effect and switch on the air conditioning system after 15-30 minutes
• Open all ventilation nozzles
• Set the air conditioner to recirculation, turn it up to full power and let it run for a while

The air conditioner cleaners are available for little money. Alternatively, there are also more expensive services from the garages. For example, many garages offer air conditioning disinfection with ozone or cleaning with ultrasound. With annual use of the air conditioning cleaners, however, odours and mould should not reoccur and you can save yourself the expensive services.

A regular air conditioning service is also recommended

The air conditioning system should be examined more closely, especially when the cooling capacity decreases. Not every inspection automatically checks the air conditioning. Before the inspection, therefore, you should find out whether an air conditioning service is also carried out. We recommend an air conditioning service every two years. Due to the high pressure in the refrigerant circuit, a certain amount of the coolant is released to the outside over time. Within a year, even up to 10-15 percent. The chemical R134a has been banned in new cars since 1 January 2017 and has been largely replaced by the more environmentally friendly refrigerant R1234yf. This has a lower greenhouse potential than R134a. During an A/C service, the entire A/C system is checked for leaks and the refrigerant is topped up. Maintenance should only be carried out in a specialist workshop with the appropriate A/C service unit. During an A/C service, the evaporator is usually also cleaned with an alcohol solution. This kills all bacteria and spores that have settled there over the course of time.

How to protect the car's air conditioning system in everyday life

Apart from cleaning and disinfection, the air conditioner can also be treated with other simple measures to maintain it. A major factor in protecting the air conditioning system is the regular replacement of the cabin filter, because it has a limited capacity. The replacement should be carried out according to the service interval. A common mistake is not to use the air conditioning system in winter. No matter what the temperature outside, the air conditioning should be switched on regularly all year round. This will prevent corrosion.

In summer, when it is very hot, the best procedure is as follows:

• At the beginning of the journey, open the windows briefly once to let the heat from the traffic jam escape.
• For the first few minutes, switch the air conditioner to recirculated air, later switch it back to fresh air supply. This way the interior cools down more quickly.
• With older air conditioning systems, it should be switched off five to ten minutes before the target, so that the condensation can dry off. Newer systems now do this automatically and allow the fan to run for a short time after the engine has been switched off.
• The set temperature should also not be too low, only about 5°C below the outside temperature.

By regular care with air conditioning cleaners and an air conditioning service, expensive repair costs for the car's air conditioning system can be avoided. A well-maintained air conditioning system with clean air is also beneficial for you and your health. If you have any questions about the air conditioner cleaners, the refilling of refrigerant or individual spare parts of the air conditioning, please contact our customer service.