Refrigerant Recovery Machine

A refrigerant recovery machine is needed to remove refrigerant from a cooling system to prevent the refrigerant from being released into the atmosphere. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) has strict regulations for recovering refrigerants used in cooling equipment. This is due to the fact that the refrigerant gases have been found to cause damage to the Earth’s ozone layer.

There are several different types of refrigerant recovery machines available, depending on the type of cooling equipment that needs to be serviced and the type of refrigerant used in the cooling system. Vehicle recovery machines are typically used by auto repair facilities that repair air conditioning systems on cars and trucks, while portable HVAC recovery machines are generally used by HVAC professionals that need to be able to easily move the unit from one location to another.

Although vehicle air conditioning systems typically now use R134A refrigerant, CFC-12, also known as Freon was used in automobile air conditioners for over 30 years. While new cars and trucks no longer use Freon, most vehicles built before 1994 still need it to repair the air conditioning systems on these older vehicles, or these vecicles need to be converted to run on newer refrigerants such as R134A.

Technicians or mechanics that service vehicle air conditioners need to be trained and certified by the US EPA. Training material must include the use of refrigerant recycling equipment in compliance with EPA standards, refrigerant containment, regulatory requirements, and the effects of ozone destruction. To become certified, technicians must pass a test showing their knowledge of all training material.

Typical Refrigerant Recovery Machine

Some of the top brands of refrigerant recovery machines include Robinair and RTI for automotive recovery units, and Robinair and Promax for portable refrigerant recovery units.

When deciding to purchase a new refrigerant recovery machine, be sure to understand the benefits and features of the unit you are looking to buy. If you are a professional, you should choose the machine that is going to provide the most time savings and service for your business. The machines are not cheap, but they are required if you are planning on working on air conditoning systems of any kind.