What is a common method to recover refrigerants from a system?

Using a recovery machine designed for refrigerant recovery is the appropriate method because these machines are specifically engineered to safely and efficiently extract refrigerants from HVAC systems. They ensure that refrigerants are recovered in compliance with environmental regulations, minimizing the risk of leaks that can contribute to ozone depletion and global warming.

Recovery machines are equipped with features that handle different types of refrigerants and can manage pressures and vapor effectively, providing a reliable means of recovering refrigerants without contaminating or damaging them.

In contrast, handheld vacuum pumps, which are typically used for evacuating systems before charging with refrigerant, are not suitable for the recovery process because they are not designed to handle the specifics of refrigerant recovery, such as separating oil or managing the refrigerant’s state. Opening the system to the atmosphere is dangerous and illegal due to environmental regulations that prohibit releasing refrigerants into the air. Using standard air compressors for refrigerant recovery is also inappropriate, as they lack the capability to deal with refrigerants effectively and can lead to safety hazards.