In the case of HVAC refrigerants, reclamation means reclaiming the refrigerant to restore it for use again. This process starts with refrigerant recovery, where the refrigerant is removed from an air conditioner or heat pump.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has several definitions very specific to refrigerants that apply.
To remove refrigerant in any condition from a system and store it in an external container.
To reduce contaminants in used refrigerants by separating oil, removing noncondensables, and using devices such as filter driers to reduce moisture, acidity, and particulate matter.
Refrigerants for which contaminants have been reduced by oil separation, removal of noncondensable gases, and single or multiple passes through filter driers or other devices that reduce moisture, acidity, and particulate matter.
To process used refrigerant to new product specifications.
Refrigerants reprocessed to the same specifications as new refrigerants by any means, including distillation. Such refrigerants have been chemically analyzed to verify that those specifications have been met.
Refrigerants can cause harm to the environment if not handled properly. If your HVAC system has a refrigerant leak or you’re getting a new system, your HVAC technician needs to be skilled in this area.
There are two situations where refrigerant recovery happens. The first is during some air conditioning repairs involving the refrigerant lines. Second, recovering the refrigerant from an older system is also necessary during air conditioner replacement. We will also include heat pumps in this scenario because they use refrigerant to cool and heat your home.
Depending on the age of your residential cooling equipment, this process will involve R-22 recovery (Freon® recovery) or R-410A recovery. There are other refrigerants, but these are the most common for residential HVAC systems.
For your safety and the planet’s health, only a trained HVAC professional with the appropriate certification under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act should perform refrigerant recovery.
They will use specialized refrigerant recovery equipment to perform the job safely. After ensuring all valves are closed, they will connect special hoses to the condenser unit, which connect to a manifold. Hoses on the other side of the manifold connect to a refrigerant recovery machine, and finally a refrigerant recovery cylinder.
At the beginning of the process, all the valves are closed. During the recovery process, the technician opens the valves, allowing the refrigerant to exit the cooling unit, go through into the recovery machine, and then out the other side into the recovery tank.
There are multiple ways to recover refrigerant. The technician will choose a technique based on your system, the volume of refrigerant to be recovered, and more. Once they have safely removed the refrigerant, they can make the necessary repairs to your refrigerant lines. Or, they can safely disconnect the old unit and install a new condenser unit.
They then have two choices – recharge the refrigerant in the unit that just underwent repairs, or recycle the refrigerant at an HVAC supply location that accepts recovered refrigerant. Recycling would be the choice when you install a new AC unit or heat pump – new split system cooling units come pre-charged from the factory.
Properly completed refrigerant recovery prevents the environmental impact of improper refrigerant disposal. A release of 1 lb of R-410A = 1 ton of carbon dioxide from a global warming perspective.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations forbid intentional refrigerant venting for this very reason. HVAC technicians must properly remove refrigerant from AC units and heat pumps when necessary for HVAC repairs or HVAC replacement. They are then required to safely recharge a unit after repairs, or recycle the refrigerant.
Have refrigerant questions? Contact your local Trane dealer for expert advice.
Refrigerant is a chemical cooling compound that absorbs and releases heat at different points in the heat exchange cycle as it runs throughout an HVAC system.
R-22 is a chemical cooling compound used in older air conditioners and heat pumps. It is currently being phased out of production and use due to its harmful impact on the ozone layer when released into the air.
R-410A is the new chemical cooling compound created to replace R-22 in air conditioners and heat pumps.
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