HVAC refrigerant Recycling

HVAC Refrigerant Recycling Removes Impurities For Reuse

Refrigerant recycling is the process of cleaning used refrigerant so it can be safely reused without sending it to a full reprocessing facility. It is an important part of HVAC and refrigeration service because it reduces waste, lowers the need for newly manufactured refrigerants, and helps prevent emissions of gases that can contribute to climate change or damage the ozone layer.

How HVAC refrigerant recycling works

recovery

Before servicing or disposing of an air conditioner, heat pump, refrigerator, or other cooling system, the refrigerant is removed using specialized recovery equipment. Venting refrigerant into the atmosphere is prohibited in many countries, including the United States.

recycling

The recovered refrigerant is processed through recycling equipment that:

  • Removes oil
  • Filters out moisture
  • Removes particulate contaminants
  • Separates some non-condensable gases (such as air)

After recycling, the refrigerant is typically clean enough to be returned to the same owner’s equipment or used in certain service situations, depending on local regulations.

Why Recycling Matters

Recycling refrigerant:

  • Reduces emissions of potent greenhouse gases
  • Conserves limited refrigerant supplies
  • Lowers service costs in many cases
  • Helps comply with environmental regulations
  • Supports the transition away from high-global-warming-potential refrigerants

Environmental Impact

Many refrigerants have very high global warming potential (GWP). For example, releasing one pound of some HFC refrigerants can have a climate impact equivalent to thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide. Recovering and recycling refrigerant instead of venting it significantly reduces these emissions.