Recovery is the removal of refrigerant from a system. From there, you can either store it and send it in for recycling or to reintroduce it back into the same system.

Here are some top tips:

• Make sure your tank is empty and evacuated to 300 microns if you plan to return the refrigerant back into the system.
• Never mix refrigerants.
• Purge your hoses before recovery.
• Use a flare line drier on the inlet of the machine to increase the life of the machine and to filter and dry the refrigerant. These must be replaced regularly.
• When recovering into a tank using the standard method, invert the tank and pump into the vapor port on the tank.
• Remove Schrader cores before recovery for faster recovery and a cooler tank.
• Use larger gauge hoses with no core depressors for faster recovery.
• Check the recovery machine inlet screens regularly. Clean or replace them as needed.
• Some machines require oil to be run through the machine from time to time. Read manufacturer specifications.
• If your tank becomes hot, you can either place it in a bucket of water or run water over the tank.
• Do not leave refrigerant in your machine during storage. If your machine has a purge mode, make sure to purge the refrigerant out of the condenser (see manufacturers specs on your machine).
• Most HVAC systems holding under 200 lbs of refrigerant are not required to be pulled into a vacuum during recovery. See this chart from the EPA.
• Weigh the refrigerant out and do not fill the tank to more than 80% of the REFRIGERANT capacity, not just the water capacity.

We cover all of this and more in this video:

—Bryan