It’s hard to find new cars these days without factory installed air-conditioning (A/C). You probably have it in your car. If it stops working, you could be in for an expensive repair bill. That is, of course, unless you know how to fix it yourself. Saving money on repair bills a good reason to learn everything you can about automotive A/C repair.

It used to be that automotive A/C was so complicated that only certified technicians could work on it. Things have been simplified in recent years. There is still quite a bit to learn, but maintenance and repairs are not nearly as complex as as they were years ago. If you want to learn everything there is now about A/C repair, you have two options: go to school or teach yourself.

Go to School

You might want to learn automotive A/C repair so you can get a job as a certified technician. That’s not a bad choice. Knowledgeable repair technicians are in high demand all across the country. Dealers and private repair shops alike can never seem to find enough good techs.

The way to go about getting a job is to first go to school. Choose a community college or trade school offering programs in automotive technology. Tidewater Community College (TCC) in Norfolk, VA would be an option if you live in that area.

TCC offers three programs. Their Automotive Technology program is a 5-semester program worth 68 credits. It will teach you everything you need to know about automotive repair in an applied science environment. Automotive A/C repair is on the list.

Next is the Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair program. This is a 2-semester program worth 25 credits. Completing the program will allow you to do light maintenance and repair. If you would prefer an 18 credit program you can complete in two semesters, the Automotive Technician program might be the best choice. Both of these 2-semester programs will teach you everything you need to know to maintain and repair A/C systems.

Teaching Yourself

Your other option for learning about automotive A/C is to teach yourself by way of research. Of course, everything you learn in your research will have to be applied practically in order for you to master it. But if you’re handy with tools and you’re already familiar with basic automotive maintenance, learning AC repair shouldn’t be that difficult.

The good news is that the internet abounds with helpful material. Most of your franchise auto parts stores offer article after article discussing everything from the basics of how A/C works to troubleshooting and fixing problems.

Your local library is also a great resource material. If your library is online, you can even search for materials before you actually go in to check them out. And if they don’t have something you want, just ask. Most libraries will do it they can to find what you need within their systems. If it can’t be found, they might be able to get it from another library systems.

A Great Skill to Have

Regardless of how you choose to learn about automotive A/C repair, it is a great skill to have. Knowing how to fix your own AC means spending less at the local shop. And if you want to turn into a career, you can.

Just remember that automotive technology is constantly changing. What you learn about A/C repair today may no longer apply five years from now. So if you want to learn everything there is to know, you’ll have to update your education every now and again.