Refrigerant Recovery
Definition
Refrigerant recovery is the federally regulated process of removing and containing refrigerant from HVAC or refrigeration equipment before service or disposal.
What Refrigerant Recovery Means for Your Business
What it means
Federal law requires certified techs to recover refrigerant from any HVAC or refrigeration system before repair, replacement, or disposal. The refrigerant is captured in a recovery tank, then either reclaimed or disposed of properly.
Why it matters
Venting refrigerant is illegal and carries fines of up to $44,000 per day per violation. Beyond compliance, proper recovery protects the environment and can recover valuable refrigerant worth significant money per pound.
How contractors use it
HVAC shops train techs on EPA Section 608 certification, maintain recovery machines and tanks per truck, and log every recovery in the work order with weight and disposition.
Real-World Example
An HVAC service company recovered 840 pounds of R-410A refrigerant last year. At $12 per pound resale, that was $10,080 in recovered value plus full compliance with federal regulations.
Related Terms
SEER Rating
SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a standard measurement of how efficiently a central air conditioner or heat pump operates over a typical cooling season.
BTU
A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit, used to measure heating and cooling capacity.
Work Order
A work order is the digital or paper document that authorizes and records the work performed on a specific service call.
Technical Certification
A technical certification is a formal credential that verifies a technician has mastered specific skills, equipment, or regulatory requirements in their trade.
Inspection
An inspection is an official or in-house review of completed work to confirm it meets code, safety, and quality standards before the job is closed out.
Put This Into Practice with Free Software
Kaldr Tech handles refrigerant recovery and everything else you need to run your shop. $0/month, 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction.