What do we do?
Vehicle air conditioning. This is not only for cooling the air in the car
in summer but also conditioning the hot air in winter to demist windows. The
Demist control switches on the AC automatically. If the aircon is not working
correctly the the hot air will not be dried and will thus not demist the windscreen
effectively.
We service, troubleshoot, repair and recharge the airconditioning systems
of cars and other vehicles.
We concentrate only on the air conditioning system although we are occasionally forced
to stray into heater problems if that is affecting the AC. Similarly we sometimes
need to look for electrical faults if they are preventing the correct operation
of the AC system.
We do not dabble with Refrigeration or with the airconditioning of buildings of any kind.
We are pure specialists in the aircon of vehicles whether they be cars, trucks,
combine harvesters, agricultural tractors, coaches or plant.
We specialize to the extent that we do not even get involved in new installations
of AC into cars - only the diagnosis of problems, and the repair and recharging
of existing systems. If however you need a new system added to your car, with
our experience we may be able to direct you to a suitable source - we are
happy to offer advice where we are able. Please call Jenny on the booking
number - here
We genuinely believe that it will frequently be cheaper for the owner to
have an aircon fault seen to by a specialist such as ourselves rather than
to simply have the car gassed up by the cheapest method available and often
then have to go to a specialist once the refrigerant has escaped. If a fault
is discovered we can frequently make a repair to many faulty components or
AC hose rather than resort to a wholly new part fitted by a main agent. If
a new part should be required we have access to many new parts at considerably
less cost than from most other oulets.
We offer three things that you might not get elsewhere -
1. Expertise - We've been doing this for quite a while so most problems are
not new to us.
2. Equipment - We need quite large vans to accomodate all the equipment that we use.
3. Honesty - We strongly believe that honesty is always the best policy, both
in life and in business. We will always be straight with you - no porkies, nor
will we try to pull the wool over anyones eyes.
We operate in the south of England but also have a list of experienced AC technicians
in other parts of the country that we don't cover ourselves - here
For trucks we are only too aware of the pressure to keep vehicles on the road
during the working week. Many years ago I was an owner-driver, loading a trailer
each Friday and then leaving on the Sunday evening to catch the ferry and spend
most of the week abroad. Hence we are flexible with hours and can usually accommodate
the busy truck with out of hours service. This non-social hours work may cost
slightly more but keeps the truck on the road where it can earn it's keep.
Similarly with agricultural tractors and combines. They need to continue working,
particularly when the weather is right. Again we can be flexible with the hours
we work and we are usually able to repair pipes if they have been damaged thus
getting the tractor serviceable again very speedily. We also have access to
parts at very competitive prices. Incidentally, I have been a full member of
the NFU for many years.
About us
We are a small family company and are NOT
associated with, nor part of, any other grouping or franchise.
Our company as been operating for 38 years and about 16 years ago decided to
specialise only in the airconditioning of vehicles. When we decided to specialise
we checked that the name 'Aircon Direct' was a name not being used by any other
company, however in the past few years we have noticed a number of similar or
identical names have now appeared (one of which is a franchise).
We are not associated at all with any of those names
or with any other company, we are completely independent specialists.
We are the original Aircon Direct.
We are a founder member of MACP-Europe which is a pan European association
devoted to this specialisation of Mobile Air Conditioning. It promotes better
standards of technical training and expertise for AC technicians and by liasing
with professional institutes, car and AC equipment manufacturers and governments
is trying to harmonise regulations for mobile AC within the EU. A comprehensive
certification scheme is to be launched of standards which exceed the minimum
national requirements. The website for MACP is
here.
As from July 2010 the regulations for the AC technician's qualification have
changed drastically throughout Europe. In the UK it is now illegal for anyone
to work on the AC system of a car, to remove or replace refrigerant of any car
or small van without a qualification recognised by DEFRA (the Department of
the Environment). This new requirement is also Europewide and supercedes the
previous, slightly less onerous qualification. All three of our technicians
have this DEFRA approved qualification of course. (This is an ATA qualification
from The Institute of the Motor Industry.)
Meet the Team
As a small company we are able to give a very conscientious and personal service
in this specialized arena. Our company consists of three family members and
one long term trusted employee.
Jenny is probably your first contact with us. She answers the phones and
takes bookings and enquiries with endless patience and courtesy.
Derek has worked with us for very many years and has our full confidence in
his work as an aircon technician. He is careful and thorough in his work.
Mark, our son, is well steeped in the business, as befits a family member and
has a wide experience for such a young man of early thirties.
John, that's me, - I'm the old one, and occasionally feel it.
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