When can refrigerants in appliances be recovered to atmospheric pressure?

Refrigerants in appliances should only be recovered to atmospheric pressure when leaks make prescribed recovery levels unattainable due to environmental and safety regulations outlined by the EPA. This guideline is in place to ensure that refrigerants, which can harm the environment and contribute to ozone depletion and global warming, are managed properly.

When a leak occurs, it may be impossible to reach the required recovery levels because the refrigerant may already be escaping into the atmosphere. In such cases, technicians are allowed to stop recovery when it becomes impractical or dangerous to continue. This approach reduces the amount of refrigerant released and helps maintain compliance with regulations.

Other scenarios, such as performing routine maintenance, having fully functional systems, or if equipment is not used, do not provide a valid reason to release refrigerants to the atmosphere. In fact, best practices emphasize that refrigerants should be properly recovered and not vented under any routine circumstances.