Frequently Asked Questions

No. Only vehicles using R-134a refrigerant are eligible for repair under this program.

Yes. Authorized repair shops under this program must be EPA 609 certified or employ an automotive repair professional who is 609 certified.

See a list of EPA approved certification programs here https://www.epa.gov/mvac/section-609-technician-training-and-certification-programs

If the shop does not have 609 certification, then the shop is no longer eligible to perform vehicle air conditioning repairs under this program. The shop must notify the CAR Program immediately at programs@coolairrebate.org.

The repair shop is authorized to move forward with R-134a air conditioning unit repairs if the following conditions are met:

The repair is eligible under the CAR Program requirements, and
The customer approves the repairs based on the shop’s repair estimate.

If the repair is eligible under the program requirements and the customer approves the repair, the customer is not responsible for diagnostic payment. The CAR Program will pay 100% of the diagnostic invoice under these circumstances.
If the repair is not eligible under the program requirements or the customer does notapprove the repair, the customer is responsible for 20% of the diagnostic payment. The CAR Program will pay 80% of the diagnostic invoice under these circumstances.

If the repair invoice total is under $1,875
- Charge the customer 20% of the total invoice amount, and
- Invoice CAR 80% of the total invoice amount (must be no more than $1,500)
If the repair invoice total is over $1,875
- Invoice CAR for $1,500, and
- Charge the customer for the remainder of total invoice amount

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It is important that all information required is on the repair invoice to avoid payment delay (see the Operations Manual or Repair Shop Billing & Payment Summary for details).

Once the invoice is uploaded to the CAR Payment Portal (Bill.com), the invoice will be reviewed within 3 business days. Once payment is authorized, it will take between 3-5 business days for your bank to accept the ACH payment transfer.

You should have payment within 2 weeks via bank transfer after the repair invoice is submitted.

The Cool Air Rebate Program benefit will pay 80% of the cost of eligible repairs up to $1,500, excluding diagnostic fees. The program pays a maximum of $1,500 per vehicle. Once the invoice amount reaches $1,875, the program pays its maximum of $1,500 (or, 80% of $1,875). Any repair costs exceeding $1,875 are not paid by the program. If the consumer declines the repairs or if the diagnosis results in repairs that are ineligible, the program benefit will cover 80% of the diagnostic fee. If the diagnosis results in repairs that are eligible under the program and the consumer accepts the repairs, the program pays 100% of the diagnostic fee.