How much should it cost to recharge car ac

Do you like to sweat while in your car? Is your AC system taunting you? Are you wondering if you can afford to get it fixed?

If your AC is not working, odds are that you just need a simple recharge. Typically, it will cost $150 to $200 on average to have your car’s AC recharged. A mechanic will check your AC system for any problems and, if there are none, they will recharge your AC in a flash.

Table of Contents

• Jiffy Lube AC Recharge Cost
• Firestone AC Recharge Cost
• Valvoline AC Recharge Cost
• Midas AC Recharge Cost
• Walmart AC Recharge Cost
• Grease Monkey AC Recharge Cost
• The DIY Way
• How Often to Recharge Car AC
• How Long Does It Take to Recharge Car AC

Jiffy Lube AC Recharge Cost

If you want to get your AC recharged at Jiffy Lube, it will cost you anywhere from $80 to $150. The cost is ultimately dependent on the franchise that you go to and not every franchise offers an AC recharge service.

However, most franchises have discounts and deals that you can find on their website that will work at most Jiffy Lube locations. Typically, they have a cute/insulting $5 discount and a much more desirable 20% discount.

However, if you have my luck, then getting your AC recharged is not that simple. If you take your beloved car to Jiffy Lube, they will inspect the air conditioning compressor, including the drive belt and serpentine belt.

If everything is in order, then they will inspect the pipes for any signs of leaks. If they find anything wrong, then you can say “goodbye” to just spending $100 to recharge your AC.

It brings great sorrow to my heart to say that to repair or replace an AC can cost anywhere from $500 to *gasp* $4,000!

If you are such an unfortunate soul as to have a broken AC, all I can say is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Once you get your AC repaired, Jiffy Lube offers a warranty that lasts for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

I can also, perhaps, calm your great sorrow by also mentioning that your newly repaired AC system should last for 8 to 10 years.

Firestone AC Recharge Cost

Firestone does offer AC recharge services. To get your AC recharged at Firestone, you will need to shell out around $100 to $200.

You can expect to get the full rundown. They will inspect your AC compressor, belts, and pipes. They will also perform tests such as:

• A Performance Test
• A System State of Charge Test
• A System Control Test
• A Leak Test

If everything checks out, then they will evacuate the old refrigerant and replace it with a new refrigerant. If not, then you’ll be paying that dreaded $500 to $4,000 to have the AC system repaired or replaced.

Valvoline AC Recharge Cost

Valvoline does more than just your classic oil change. They also provide AC recharge services. While there are no official prices listed for a recharge, it will probably cost anywhere from $75 to $250 depending on what type of car you have.

Furthermore, just like an oil change, they will recharge your AC while you sit and wait in your car. Typically, it takes them about 30 minutes to recharge your AC.

They will also check your AC system to make sure a recharge will fix your AC. So, you can rest assured that you won’t be paying for a service that you don’t need if it does turn out that a recharge won’t fix your AC.

Midas AC Recharge Cost

An AC recharge at Midas will cost about $150. Before they recharge your AC, they visually inspect your AC system to make sure everything is in order. If everything is in order, then they will recharge your AC.

Midas usually offers coupons that are dependent on your location. So, once you find a Midas shop that is near you, you can then look for any coupons that could end up saving you a decent amount of money.

Walmart AC Recharge Cost

Sadly, contrary to my belief I held 5-minutes ago, Walmart cannot do everything… this news is beyond devastating. However, Walmart won’t leave you completely hanging.

If you want to recharge your AC system yourself, then you can buy an AC recharge kit for $40 to $50 at Walmart.

In case you’re wondering, I am coming up with a petition that you can sign to get Walmart to offer AC recharge services. My introductory paragraph goes like this:

Walmart, with a heavy heart, we — the good folk who like to save money and live better — rebuke thee! It is unacceptable and inconceivable that you (Walmart) would not offer AC repair services. We are saddened… nay, outraged by such injustice! Therefore, we petition thee to offer AC repair services with great haste — lest we sweat ourselves into oblivion!

Anyways, if you’d like to sign my petition, just let me know.

Grease Monkey AC Recharge Cost

Grease Monkey does offer AC recharge services that will cost about $100 to $200. They will first check your AC for any problems. Then they will vacuum, purge, and recharge your AC.

They estimate that it will take them anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to perform this service. So, you can kick back with a nice cup of joe and listen to a podcast while imagining what it will feel like to have AC again…

The DIY Way

If you want to recharge your AC yourself, then you can buy an AC recharge kit for $30 to $60. You’ll want to first check your compressor to make sure that it is running and that it sounds normal.

Then, check your pipes for any leaks. A lot of refrigerants will seal up any leaks, so make sure you buy one that will not only recharge your AC but also seal up any leaks. You’ll also want to check your car’s manual to make sure you get the right type of refrigerant.

After that, you can connect the refrigerant coupler to the low-pressure port, and fill it up with the appropriate amount of refrigerant, which is known through a pressure gauge that will show you how much you need to put in.

Keep in mind that these kits do not come with a vacuum to remove the old refrigerant and any undesirables. So, you should think of an AC recharge kit as a quick fix you can use to replenish the AC refrigerant levels.

How Often to Recharge Car AC

You shouldn’t need to constantly recharge your AC unless you have a leak. So, if you find that you have to routinely recharge your AC, then there is a problem with it.

Most ACs last for 8 to 10 years, so if you find that you are recharging your AC every year, then you should probably take it to a mechanic to get it fixed.

How Long Does It Take to Recharge Car AC

It does not take long to recharge your AC. If you take it to a professional and there is no wait time, then it will take them about 30 minutes to recharge your AC.

Final Thoughts

All in all, it is no fun to sweat in a hot metal can. So, if your AC is not working properly, then the odds are that you need to have it recharged. Thankfully, as long as your AC system is in working order, your typical recharge cost will average around $150 to $200.

Is it worth recharging AC in car?

How much does it take to recharge car AC?

Can AutoZone recharge my car AC?

Can I recharge my car AC myself?