Refrigerant Recovery: Why and How

Refrigerant recovery is the process of moving refrigerant from a system and temporarily storing it in a container. Understanding this process, as well as other aspects of safe refrigerant handling, is essential for HVAC and Refrigeration technicians.

For those just joining the industry or considering a career as a technician, here’s a primer about the purposes of refrigerant recovery as well as an overview of tools and recovery methods.  

Why refrigerant recovery is more important than ever

Why do technicians sometimes need to remove refrigerant from HVAC and Refrigeration systems?

To make system repairs

Many types of repairs require technicians to use refrigerant recovery techniques to remove the refrigerant from the system. For example, if the system is leaking refrigerant due to holes or cracks in the coils, the refrigerant must be recovered before repairing or replacing the coils. Once the repair is complete, the refrigerant is recharged back into the system.

Learn more> HVAC Basics: Refrigerant Leak Detection

To save the refrigerant for reuse

When an older system is being taken out of use, the refrigerant must be removed before the equipment is disposed of. This is important for several reasons:

• Economics. Due to increasing regulatory control, certain older refrigerants are becoming harder to get and more expensive. Yet they are needed for repairing some older systems. Refrigerant recovery allows the refrigerant to be recycled and reused.

• Environmental protection. Removing the refrigerant prevents it from leaking into the atmosphere where it can cause damage like harming the ozone layer and contributing to global warming.  

• The law. Due to the potential environmental impacts of refrigerants, laws here in the U.S. and worldwide prohibit the venting of refrigerants while working on equipment.

• Safety. Refrigerants are chemicals that are dangerous if not handled with the right precautions. Removing them before disposing of old equipment can prevent accidents and injury.

Refrigerant handling and safety: EPA 608 certification

Because of safety issues and also the potential for damage to the environment, the EPA’s Clean Air Act requires anyone who handles refrigerant to be properly trained and certified. 

That’s why, as an entry-level HVAC or Refrigeration technician, one of the first things you’ll do is earn your EPA 608 certification. (In fact, if you’re looking to join the industry, you can boost your qualifications by earning your EPA 608 before you begin applying for jobs.)

Learn more> HVAC Technician Certification: EPA 608 Certification Explained

Overview of refrigerant recovery methods & tools

There are a variety of tools and methods available for refrigerant recovery. The best method for the job depends on the type of system, the volume of refrigerant you will need to recover, and where you have access to recover the refrigerant. 

Vapor recovery method

This is the most common method of refrigerant recovery from most HVAC systems. In this process, you recover the refrigerant in gas/vapor form (from the “low side” or low pressure side of the system) and the recovery machine compresses it into liquid form before transferring it to the recovery cylinder.

Liquid recovery method

As the name implies, with this method you recover the refrigerant in liquid form, so you’ll connect to the “high side” of the system (where refrigerant is under high pressure). Otherwise, the process is similar to the vapor recovery method. Recovering liquid refrigerant is generally the fastest method. The problem is, it’s not possible for all types of equipment. 

Push/pull recovery method

This method can be used to move large volumes of refrigerant (at least 10 pounds). Recovery tools that use this method produce a high-pressure discharge gas that “pushes” liquid refrigerant from the system and back into a recovery cylinder.

There are some additional technical requirements to use this method, such as the presence of an accumulator between the service ports. It also can’t be used on a heat pump or system that has a reversing valve.

Tools you’ll need for refrigerant recovery

Here are the tools and supplies you’ll need to do refrigerant recovery:

• Safety goggles
• Gloves
• Manifold gauge set that’s rated for refrigerant pressure you’re working with and has the following ports: blue (for low side), red (for high side), ¼ inch and ⅜ inch.
• Charging hoses (UL certified) with ball valve ends. It’s helpful to have hoses of different lengths, so you can always use the shortest hose for the job at hand. Shorter hoses make the recovery more efficient.
• Valves and fittings 
• Refrigerant recovery machine. This device does the work of extracting the refrigerant from the system and moving it to a recovery cylinder. Here’s a good starting reference: 
• Recovery cylinder to collect the refrigerant.
• Vacuum pump (and vacuum pump oil)
• Refrigerant scale

• Leak detector
• Digital thermometer

More HVAC basics information for new technicians

Check out these articles to boost your knowledge.

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.