Air conditioners use refrigerants to remove heat inside your house and dispose of it outside. The refrigerant should remain within the AC system at all times. If the refrigerant cannot be inside the AC, another container should hold it. Refrigerant recovery refers to transferring a refrigerant from the AC to a refillable cylinder. Below is an overview of the process.

Why You May Need Refrigerant Recovery

You may need refrigerant recovery if your AC technician wants to replace your AC. You may also need refrigerant recovery during an AC repair process involving the refrigerant channels.

Refrigerant recovery is important since it protects you and the air from refrigerant contamination. The protection is necessary since the refrigerant is poisonous and can cause different health problems, including respiratory problems, loss of consciousness, and seizures; the refrigerant also damages the ozone layer protecting the earth. As such, refrigerant should always be in a closed system. The AC company that recovers your refrigerant will safely dispose of it or clean it for reuse.

Why a Professional Should Handle the Recovery Process

Refrigerant recovery is not a DIY process; it needs a professional AC contractor. Below are some reasons to hire a professional:

They Have Recovery Equipment

The recovery process requires special equipment that the average person lacks. For example, you need a recovery cylinder to hold the recovered refrigerant. The recovery cylinder must handle the refrigerant volume and pressure without leakage risk. The cylinder should have a pressure valve that allows refrigerant into but not out of the cylinder.

They Have Relevant Protective Gear

AC refrigerant easily evaporates, which is why it's such a good cooling fluid. Evaporation occurs when the refrigerant absorbs heat from your body and the environment. That means refrigerant can lower your skin temperature to the point where you can suffer frostbite. Protective gear in the form of safety gloves and goggles is necessary.

The Have the Right Skills

AC contractors use different methods for refrigerant recovery. An example is the liquid recovery method, where you transfer liquid refrigerant from the equipment to another cylinder. The vapor recovery method vaporizes the refrigerant before the transfer. The contractor must know which method to use since some methods don't work with certain AC systems.

AC services that involve refrigerant are not DIY candidates. The risk of injury and environmental contamination is too high.

Contact a local HVAC service, such as Mikes Heating and AC Service, to learn more.