What is Air Conditioning Refrigerant Recovery?
Air conditioning systems use various types of refrigerant to cool the interior of the vehicle. It is stored inside of the refrigerant system. When the air conditioning system needs service that involves opening the refrigerant system, the refrigerant must be removed safely to prevent venting to the air we breathe. To accomplish this task, air conditioning refrigerant recovery is performed as a safe means of removing refrigerant from the air conditioning refrigerant system, and placing it into a secondary, external sealed container. The process of recovering, storing, and recharging refrigerant is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure compliance and air quality standards.
How is Air Conditioning Recovery done?
Refrigerant recovery is performed by a licensed technician, certified by the EPA under Section 608, in a repair shop using special equipment to properly monitor, capture, and store the refrigerant.
When would I need Air Conditioning refrigerant Recovery?
Any time the air conditioning system needs to be disassembled, where components are separated from one another and could allow refrigerant to escape, it is necessary to first empty the system through the process of recovery. Air conditioning refrigerant recovery differs from accidental discharge of refrigerant material. Sometimes, due to a broken air conditioning system component (such as a refrigerant line), or due to damage resulting from a crash, the refrigerant leaks out from the system. Recovery, on the other hand, is the controlled capture of the refrigerant with special equipment to prevent its release into the environment.
Can I drive with Air Conditioner issues?
If the air conditioning system has been emptied - either by way of a damaged component through accidental discharge, or by way of refrigerant recovery - the air conditioner will not operate. A low pressure switch ensures that the AC compressor will not operate if the refrigerant pressure gets too low, as it would if the system were empty. A vehicle without air conditioning can be an inconvenience. It does not present an immediate safety concern. The vehicle can be driven without it. However, the longer the air conditioning system is left empty of refrigerant, the higher the likelihood that moisture will enter the system and compromise the integrity of the components - especially the AC compressor - leading to premature failure.