REVENUE
GENERATING
OPPORTUNITIES
A/C Service
THE DEMAND FOR A/C
SERVICE IS HEATING UP
It pays to educate yourself on current 1234yf protocol,
as well as significant equipment updates.
by Sara Scullin, Editor
Summer may be a hot time for
A/C service, but it’s not the
only time vehicle aftermarket
shops can make money on this type
of repair. HVAC systems are a fixture
of most vehicles on the road today,
and they can be a great revenue
generator. So it is important that
shop owners stay up-to-date on
newly available tools and equipment
in the world of A/C, as well as the
current regulations pertaining to this
service category.
“The rapid expansion of 1234yf in
new vehicles, the cost of the new refrigerant
and high-voltage compressors in
electric and hybrid vehicles will impact
how technicians service AC systems in
the near future,” says Justin Fisette of
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions.
Marion Posen, VP Member Relations
and Marketing Mobile Air Conditioning
Society Worldwide (MACS) adds
that starting January 1, 2018 the sale of
most refrigerants will be restricted to
608 and 609-certified technicians. This
means distributors must keep refrigerant
sales records and verify purchasers
are (or employ) 608-609-certified
technicians.
A little leg-work up front can set
automotive repair professionals on the
road to offering this much sought after
fix. Fisette says shops will need to invest
in a new machine and manual oil injectors,
to start. After that, he recommends
technicians take a Section 609 refresher
course from MACS to fully understand
the differences and service needs for a
134a versus 1234yf system.
“The 1234yf service also takes longer
than 134a systems, so shops and techs
should be aware of the extended time
needed to service vehicles when scheduling
50 PTEN DECEMBER 2017 www.VehicleServicePros.com
service and communicating to customers,’
says Fisette.
In addition to regulatory updates,
A/C tool and equipment brands, like
Robinair, are offering products that
can “sniff out” and pinpoint the tiniest
of leaks (leak detectors), and also
avoid cross-contamination between
refrigerants and systems (refrigerant
identifiers).
Fisette says that many of today’s A/C
machines have fully automatic operation
and can be programmed to recover, test
and recharge systems while a technician
is working on another part of the vehicle
or another vehicle altogether. This
allows for more billable hours while the
service is being perforAmed.
The rise of electric, electric hybrid
and plug-in vehicles are also likely to
impact A/C service down the road.
Says Fisette: “High-voltage AC
In order to spot UV dye, you must use the UV
glasses and light. Photo: B. Hoyland
systems use a different oil than 12V
systems, requiring the use of a separate
machine to avoid cross-contamination
of the different oils. High-voltage systems
use POE ester oil, which is nonconductive.
Cross-contamination of
PAG and POE oils can damage a highvoltage
compressor or compromise the
system’s safety.
“Technicians will need to familiarize
themselves with high-voltage systems
and compressors, which might require
additional training or retaking a Section
609 certification class that has been
updated with new standards and info
for the changes in AC systems.”
If you don’t currently offer A/C service
to your customers, now might be a
good time to reconsider, as adding A/C
system service and repair to your shop
will increase revenue and complement
other services you already provide.
/www.VehicleServicePros.com