4 Small Appliance Refrigerant Recovery Procedures
Learn how to identify small appliances, meet refrigerant recovery requirements, use compatible equipment, and handle recovered refrigerant and cylinders safely.
What counts as a
A is factory-made, factory-charged, hermetically sealed, and contains () or less of refrigerant. Examples include household refrigerators and freezers, window air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and water coolers.
In the United States, technicians servicing or repairing small appliances must hold EPA Section 608 Type I certification or Universal certification. performed solely to prepare an appliance for disposal is an exception to the technician-certification requirement, but compliant equipment is still required.
targets and certification
The usual federal requirements for service or disposal provide two percentage-based options, depending on equipment and appliance condition:
Recover when using equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993, or when the appliance compressor is not functional.
Recover when using post-November 15, 1993 equipment and the compressor is functional.
Alternatively, evacuate the appliance to a vacuum.
Use certified equipment according to its manufacturer’s instructions. Requirements and equipment standards can depend on the equipment’s certification and the method, so check current EPA rules and the equipment manual for the specific setup.
Equipment selection and preparation
A typical setup includes a machine or small-appliance device certified for the refrigerant and application; a compatible, approved in good condition; and refrigerant-rated hoses and fittings. Manifold gauges or a low-loss access fitting may also be appropriate. Use a scale to monitor refrigerant transferred into the cylinder, and use a refrigerant identifier when available to help confirm the refrigerant before . Appropriate eye and hand protection and adequate ventilation are also needed.
Before connecting equipment, read the appliance nameplate to identify the refrigerant, charge, and any flammability warning. Some small appliances use flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants. If the label identifies a flammable refrigerant, use equipment and cylinders specifically suitable for it, control ignition sources, and follow the equipment manufacturer’s safety instructions. Do not use ordinary equipment merely because its fittings appear to match.
Inspect the ’s label, service condition, valve, and allowable capacity. Use a cylinder approved for the refrigerant and intended service. Keep different refrigerants separate because mixing them can contaminate the recovered material and make it difficult or impossible to reclaim. Never exceed the cylinder’s marked maximum filling weight; use a scale and follow applicable cylinder instructions to prevent overfilling.
procedure
Follow an orderly procedure, adapting it to the appliance and the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
Make the work area safe. Disconnect electrical power where appropriate, provide ventilation, and keep ignition sources away if the refrigerant may be flammable. Do not energize a hermetic compressor while the system is under vacuum.
Identify and prepare. Confirm the refrigerant type and appliance condition. Choose a dedicated, compatible , and record its starting weight if using a scale.
Connect carefully. Use sound hoses and fittings, connect securely, and minimize refrigerant loss when making or breaking connections. Do not intentionally vent refrigerant.
Use the appropriate method. With a working compressor and a suitable system-dependent device, the compressor may be operated as directed to assist . If the compressor does not work, use a method and equipment designed for that condition, with the access points and procedure specified by the equipment manufacturer. Do not apply heat or impact to a compressor unless an approved procedure specifically permits it.
Monitor . Follow the machine’s operating sequence and observe pressure and cylinder weight. Continue until the applicable percentage or requirement is met. After reaching the target, wait briefly and check for . A pressure rise can indicate refrigerant remains in the system or oil, so continue as appropriate.
Close and verify. Close valves as directed, isolate the appliance, and disconnect using low-loss practices. Confirm the required level using the method specified for the equipment. If the appliance is to be opened for service, do so only after the applicable requirement has been met.
Cylinder handling and transfer
Keep cylinders upright, secured against falling, and protected from heat, physical damage, and incompatible materials. Keep valve caps in place when cylinders are not connected, where the cylinder is designed to use them. Label cylinders clearly with the refrigerant type and status. Do not place unidentified or mixed refrigerant in a cylinder reserved for a known refrigerant; use a properly designated mixed-refrigerant container when appropriate.
Weigh the cylinder during and stop before reaching its marked maximum fill weight. Never rely on pressure alone to estimate how full a cylinder is. Use hoses, fittings, and transfer equipment rated for the refrigerant and pressure. Check connections for leaks using an appropriate method, never a flame.
When moving refrigerant between containers, use equipment and a procedure intended for that transfer. Keep the destination cylinder within its fill limit, monitor weight continuously, and avoid trapping liquid between closed valves. Follow the machine and cylinder manufacturers’ instructions. Store and transport cylinders according to their labels and applicable safety and transportation rules.
and completion
For small appliances, to a vacuum is an alternative to meeting the specified percentage. Here, means removing refrigerant to the required endpoint; it is not the same as pulling a deep vacuum to remove moisture and noncondensables after repairs. Use a gauge and the procedure appropriate to the equipment. Do not infer successful merely from a stopped compressor or an empty-looking cylinder. Once the target is reached, allow a short settling period and recheck pressure for rebound before opening the system.
After , close and cap valves, check equipment for leaks, and document the refrigerant type and amount when workplace procedures require it. Keep refrigerants segregated and arrange appropriate recycling or . Recycling cleans refrigerant for reuse under specified conditions, while processes and verifies refrigerant to industry purity specifications. alone does not clean or purify refrigerant.
Recovered refrigerant may be sent for reuse only as permitted. Refrigerant transferred to a new owner generally must be reclaimed by an EPA-certified reclaimer before resale. For disposal, the final processor must recover any remaining refrigerant or verify proper prior through the required documentation.