Our 3 top tips to help you maximise your business, right now.

For some parts of Australia, air conditioning work is seasonal and for others the season never ends! Now that summer is officially over, it’s a great time to think about the major frustrations you experienced in your day-to-day work and what you can do to reduce those in future. With tax time coming up, it’s also wise to consider how you can make the most of investments for your business in this financial year. In this article we share our three top tips to maximise your business, right now.

 

To succeed, it’s important to consider how you’re adding value to your customers and what changes you can make to your business to work smarter, not harder.

 

1. Review frustrations and consider investments to improve your workflow.

This might seem counter-intuitive, but the old saying of ‘spend money to make money’ has some merit. Especially when you’re spending money on things that will help to maximise your business. There are a multitude of tools to help you quickly diagnose faults and complete A/C system services. This is where you can close some serious gaps on time spent on jobs and revenue created.

 


Consider the 4-in-1 station.

This machine is the one of the best investments your business can make to save time. One machine, taking care of recovery, recycling, vacuum (including vacuum leak testing) and recharging of an A/C system. An investment in the 4-in-1 station can also bring cost savings, simply through the recycling of refrigerant, especially the more expensive R1234yf. Take a look at our recent article where we delved into refrigerant recycling, and investigate further with our comparison of 4-in-1 stations to find out which is best for your needs.

 


More research needed?

Our calculator will help you determine the savings of a 4-in-1 machine, specifically for your circumstances. Enter the hourly rate you charge and the average time it takes you to run a re-gas, include the gas costs and you can compare conventional methods to the power of the 4-in-1 station.

 


Then, there's leak detection.

Another way to prioritise speed and precision in your business is by using the latest technology in leak detection. Refrigerant leak detectors aren’t new, but it is a relatively small investment to bring you big savings.

 

For example, the Vulkan Loktracer Leak Detector can detect leaks in seconds. Its unique ability to detect hydrogen in the tracer gas that is quickly and easily injected into the system means this method shines where conventional methods struggle. This eliminates the possibility of false alarms through cross-sensitivity with other gases. Hyrdogen molecules are small and lighter than air, meaning it fits through small holes and rises against refrigerant, making it a lot easier to find leaks in hard to access spots. See it in action with our 'balloon experiment'.

 

Using tools and equipment for accuracy and precision will ensure you do the job right, the first time. A reduction in comebacks will build trust with your team and keep customers returning every time.

 

2. How else can you add value for your customer?

There are certain steps to every air conditioning service that everyone completes. Regular component changes, finding faults, fixing issues and sending customers on their way. How do you maximise your business and stand out from the crowd?

 

Our number one way to stand out from the crowd is to add value for your customers. You can do this by:

 


Scheduling regular check-up reminders for your customers.

Offer a free check-up six months after their service, or a discount for a repeat booking before summer hits again. There are plenty of tools to help you automate contact with your customers and this is just one way to keep customers returning.

 

Remember, you offer more than maintenance and repairs, you offer your customer peace of mind. In every service, offer a leak check. Simply run Glo-Leak UV dye through the system and run the UV lamp over it to rule out the possibility of any leaks.

 


Give uncommon service by using a system additive.

Using the addition of Hi-Cool in your business is giving service that not everyone will! This has multiple benefits, from improving your reputation to increasing your bottom line. Hi-Cool rejuvenates rubber components, keeping hoses and o-rings supple, increasing their lifespan. And the part your customers will notice - cooler cabin air temperatures, achieved much faster on a hot day, with less humid air circulating.

 

This product is an upsell to your customers, allowing you to increase profit on your services. One bottle will service 3-4 x 500g systems, doesn’t add much of your time and it’s reasonable to charge extra for the system performance benefits. Ben, from Ben’s Cool Cabs has been using Hi-Cool for some time and his video takes you through the benefits he’s seen.

 


Keep it clean with air purification.

In today’s world, there has never been a better time to offer air purification, and there is a way we can bring that to vehicle interiors. The Ozone Machine generates ozone to kill bacteria in an enclosed vehicle. Mould can build up on an evaporator and running an Ozone Machine can kill any bacteria that is present. After purifying the air, you can finish sanitising the A/C system and eliminate bad odours from the evaporator and A/C ducts with Hi-Fresh. This leaves your customers with a pleasant, long-lasting fresh scent.

 

3. Don't undersell your services.

As the saying goes in this case ‘ you get what you pay for’. When you invest in tools and equipment for accuracy, or products that improve system performance, there is the opportunity to charge a premium. Happy customers are happy to pay for your expertise and having the job done right, the first time.

 

It’s good practice to check what your competitors are charging and ensure you’re not underselling your services or pricing yourself out of the market.

 


When is the last time you revisted your hourly rate?

The cost of living is on the rise and naturally, costs are increasing in many industries, including ours. We’ve seen increases in manufacturing and freight, which means costs for parts and consumables are also rising. Make sure your pricing allows for these increases to continue running a successful business.

 


We want you to thrive, no matter what is happening around you. If you need any advice on how to maximise your business and improve your day-to-day practices, contact the friendly team at Highgate Air on 1800 15 15 15 or email us.