Frequently Asked Questions

Every time an A/C system is opened — for a compressor, condenser, evaporator, or hose replacement — atmospheric air and moisture enter the system. That moisture reacts with refrigerant oil under operating heat and pressure, forming organic acids that attack the compressor internals. A deep vacuum (measured in microns, not just "run the pump for a while") removes that moisture before it can cause damage. Skipping this step is the number one reason replacement compressors fail prematurely — often within one to two years.

Charging by pressure (watching a sight glass or stopping when the gauges "look right") is guessing. Refrigerant pressure changes with ambient temperature — so the same system on a hot day vs. a cool day will show different pressures at the correct charge weight. Your vehicle's manufacturer specifies an exact refrigerant weight — typically in grams, stamped on the A/C label under the hood. We load that exact weight using calibrated digital scales. Under-charging reduces cooling; over-charging causes high-side pressure spikes that shorten compressor life. Weight is the only reliable method.

Common signs include: A/C that blows cold at first but progressively gets warmer over time, oily residue around fittings (sign of a slow leak that let moisture in), a compressor that's been replaced once already and is failing again, and acid smell from the vents in severe cases. The best way to know for certain is an oil condition test — we can sample the oil without opening the system or releasing refrigerant. The oil's colour and odour tell you clearly whether moisture contamination is present.

It's a non-invasive test that samples the refrigerant oil from a running A/C system without opening the refrigerant circuit. Healthy oil is clear to slightly yellow. Contaminated oil turns amber, then brown, and eventually nearly black — and has a distinctly acidic smell. This test is useful for diagnosing a poorly-cooling system, checking whether a recently repaired system was properly evacuated, or assessing a used vehicle before you buy it. We can tell you definitively whether you have a moisture problem, a failing compressor, or both.

The industry standard target is 1000 microns or below, with a hold (decay) test to confirm no leaks. Many shops "pull vacuum" by running the pump for 30 minutes and calling it done — without ever measuring the actual vacuum level. That may or may not reach the required depth, and even if it does, it won't detect a slow leak that lets air back in. We use a Fieldpiece SMAN manifold with a built-in micron gauge to measure the actual vacuum level in real time, and perform a decay test before charging.

Yes. Under Canada's Environmental Protection Act and Ozone-Depleting Substances regulations, it is illegal to purchase or handle refrigerants (including R134a and R1234yf) without holding a valid certification from an accredited program. JANTECH holds HRAI SCDD (Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada) certification, which meets federal requirements. Any shop or individual handling refrigerant without certification is operating illegally — and won't have access to quality commercial-grade refrigerant.

Passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, motorhomes, agricultural equipment, and commercial vehicles. If it has an A/C system and refrigerant fittings we can access, we can service it. The procedure is the same regardless of vehicle type — vacuum, verify, charge by weight. We've worked on everything from classic cars to large RVs and farm equipment.

No. We carry a generator for sites without grid power — remote properties, farms, job sites, campgrounds. Remote site service is available at an increased rate to cover generator fuel and additional logistics. Call to discuss your location before booking.

A standard post-repair final step — nitrogen test, vacuum evacuation, vacuum decay test, refrigerant charge, and leak verification — typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the system and how deep the vacuum pulls. Larger systems (RVs, trucks with rear A/C) can take longer. We charge by the hour, so you only pay for actual time on the job.

R134a (HFC-134a) was the industry-standard automotive refrigerant for decades and is still used in millions of vehicles. R1234yf is a newer, lower global-warming-potential refrigerant now required in most vehicles manufactured since roughly 2017-2019 (varies by make/model). They are not interchangeable — the fittings are different, the charge weights differ, and mixing them is illegal. We service both. Older R12-refrigerant vehicles can also be retrofitted to R134a.

We warranty our process — the vacuum evacuation procedure, the charge weight accuracy, and the leak test result. We cannot warranty against a pre-existing leak that re-develops or against a compressor that was already failing internally before service. If the system doesn't hold vacuum during the decay test, we'll tell you before we charge it — no point spending money on refrigerant if the system won't hold it.

JANTECH is based in Vernon, BC. Standard service area (no travel surcharge): Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong, Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna. Extended area with an additional travel charge: Lumby, Enderby, Falkland. Outlying (call to arrange — Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Penticton, Chase) are available at adjusted rates. We're willing to travel further for the right job — call to discuss your location.

Charges for service — contact for quote. Every job is different (vehicle, refrigerant type, condition, location), so rather than post numbers that won't match your situation, we'll give you a clear, no-pressure quote in a quick call or text. In most cases, mobile service ends up more cost-effective than a shop visit once you factor in tow or transport, the day or two you'd be without the vehicle, and shop diagnostic fees. Call or text 250.351.6766. Payment accepted by cash, e-transfer, or credit card via Square.

Yes. We carry a generator, so grid power is not required. We service farms, ranches, acreages, and remote properties throughout the Okanagan. Agricultural equipment — tractors, combines, farm trucks — is serviced the same as any vehicle. Remote site service is available at an increased rate to cover generator fuel and travel. Call to discuss your location.

Yes, every time. A new compressor installation requires vacuum evacuation before charging. The moment the system was opened, atmospheric moisture entered. That moisture will destroy the new compressor within one to two years if it's not removed by deep vacuum before charging. This is non-negotiable — it's why we exist as a service.

Yes — with some important context. The chassis A/C system on an RV or motorhome is the same as any other vehicle: nitrogen test, vacuum evacuation, charge by weight. We service that the same way we service a car or truck. Roof air units are a different story. These units do not come with low/high side service ports — they are not designed to be refrigerant-serviced and are meant to be replaced as a unit when they fail. Service ports can be brazed in, and the unit can then be refrigerant-serviced, but it comes down to whether that cost makes sense versus replacement. If your roof air unit is running but not cooling well, the most common cause is a fouled condenser — not a refrigerant problem. A condenser inspection and clean with a foaming agent, plus verifying the fan is operating correctly, typically resolves underperformance without touching refrigerant. This requires removing the top cover of the roof unit.

Yes. We do this through a combination of nitrogen pressure testing and electronic leak detection. We'll tell you whether the system is leaking and where before any refrigerant is loaded. There's no point paying for a refrigerant charge that will just leak back out.

A vacuum pump creates the vacuum. A micron gauge measures how deep the vacuum actually is. Many shops use a vacuum pump without a micron gauge — they run the pump for a set time and assume the target was reached. That's guessing. A micron gauge gives you a real number: 1000 microns or below is the target for a properly evacuated system. We use a Fieldpiece SMAN manifold with a built-in micron gauge on every job.

Yes. We use an industrial ozone generator to neutralize persistent odours — mice, mildew, smoke, musty smells. Ozone reaches into the ventilation system, under seats, and into surfaces that cleaning products can't access. Treatment typically runs 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on severity. The vehicle has to be unoccupied during treatment. Most odour problems are resolved in a single session; severe infestations may benefit from physical cleaning first to remove the source material before ozone treatment.

Yes. We carry an industrial infrared camera to visually identify temperature anomalies in A/C lines and components. Infrared can reveal a restriction, a blockage, or a failing component that isn't obvious visually. It's a diagnostic tool — used alongside pressure testing and oil analysis, not instead of them.

Refrigerant cost depends on the refrigerant type your vehicle uses and how much it needs. R134a and R1234yf are priced very differently — R1234yf is significantly more expensive than R134a. When you call to book, confirm your vehicle's refrigerant type (usually listed on the A/C label under the hood or in the owner's manual) and we'll give you a clear quote for the full job — labour and refrigerant — before any work starts.

Call or text 250.351.6766 to discuss your vehicle and schedule a time. We typically need to know what service was performed on the A/C (if it was opened), the vehicle make and model, and your location. We'll give you a time estimate and confirm availability. You can also send a message through the contact form on this website.

Yes. JANTECH Mobile Services is based in Vernon, BC and regularly travels to Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna, and the surrounding Central Okanagan. We come to your location — a repair shop, your home, a commercial property, or a remote site. No need to transport your vehicle to a specialty shop. Call or text 250.351.6766 to book.

JANTECH Mobile Services handles R1234yf refrigerant in Kelowna and throughout the Okanagan. R1234yf is the newer low-GWP refrigerant required in most vehicles manufactured since approximately 2017–2019. We are HRAI SCDD certified, carry proper R1234yf equipment, and charge strictly by manufacturer-specified weight. Without certification, a shop or individual cannot legally purchase or handle R1234yf in Canada.

JANTECH Mobile Services. We travel to Kelowna and the Central Okanagan specifically for this situation — we come directly to the repair shop, finish the job with nitrogen pressure testing, deep vacuum to 1000 microns, and refrigerant charged precisely by weight. Call 250.351.6766 and we'll coordinate directly with the shop.

If a new compressor was installed but the system wasn't properly evacuated before charging, moisture contamination is the most likely cause — and it will cause the new compressor to fail within 1–2 years. Any time an A/C system is opened, atmospheric moisture enters immediately. That moisture turns acidic in refrigerant oil under heat and pressure, attacking the compressor internally from day one. JANTECH Mobile Services specializes in this exact situation throughout the Vernon, Kelowna, and Okanagan region.

Yes — this is our most common booking type. The repair shop does the mechanical work (compressor, condenser, evaporator, hoses), and calls us in when the system is ready to be evacuated and charged. We coordinate directly with the shop or technician, arrive with the equipment, and finish the job to a documented standard. Shops in Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong, and throughout the Okanagan book us regularly.

A "recharge" at a quick-lube or parts store typically means topping up refrigerant by pressure in 15 minutes using a can. It does not remove moisture, does not verify the system is sealed, and does not account for the manufacturer's charge weight. A proper A/C service includes nitrogen pressure testing, deep vacuum evacuation to 1000 microns or below, a vacuum decay hold test, refrigerant charged by weight on calibrated digital scales, and electronic leak detection. JANTECH performs the full professional procedure — not a top-up.

Under Canada's Environmental Protection Act and Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations, anyone who purchases, handles, or recovers refrigerants must hold valid certification from an accredited body. JANTECH holds HRAI SCDD (Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada) certification — the federally recognized standard for refrigerant handling in Canada. John Reznik also holds a Transport Canada M1/M2 aircraft maintenance license, which includes aircraft HVAC systems. An uncertified person cannot legally buy commercial-grade refrigerant in Canada.

Agricultural equipment — tractors, combines, farm trucks, skid steers — uses the same refrigerant service procedure as passenger vehicles: nitrogen test, vacuum evacuation, charge by weight. We carry a generator, so remote farm locations without grid power are not a problem. We service agricultural equipment throughout the North and Central Okanagan. Call to discuss your specific equipment and location.

JANTECH Mobile Services is operated by John Reznik, a refrigerant and HVAC technician based in Vernon, BC with over 31 years of experience — including commercial aircraft HVAC systems. John holds HRAI SCDD certification (federal refrigerant handling), Transport Canada M1/M2 aircraft maintenance licensing, and uses professional-grade Fieldpiece SMAN equipment on every job. JANTECH specializes in the final step of vehicle A/C repairs: nitrogen testing, micron-verified vacuum evacuation, and refrigerant charging by weight. Service covers Vernon, Kelowna, and the Okanagan region, May through October.