Recovery & Handling
In this course
4 sections, plus a graded quiz. Click any to jump to it.
Introduction
Before you touch a refrigerant system in the US, you need EPA 608. This chapter covers the handling rules, recovery equipment, and the environmental regulations that govern R-134a, R-404A, and R-410A. The rules are not optional — they are the legal minimum for handling refrigerant, and they are the foundation of the 608 certification exam.
Why it matters: venting refrigerant to the atmosphere is a violation. Recovery is the first step of every refrigerant job, and the rules apply to every refrigerant you will touch.
Recovery equipment types
Refrigerant recovery is the process of removing refrigerant from a system before service, repair, or disposal. The type of recovery equipment depends on the system size and the refrigerant type:
- Self-contained recovery — portable, with its own compressor and condenser. The standard for marine work.
- Recirculating recovery — uses the system's compressor to drive recovery.
- Passive recovery — relies on pressure differential; limited to small systems.
The recovery machine has a recovery tank, and the refrigerant is stored in the tank under pressure. Label the tank with the refrigerant type, the weight, and the date of recovery. Do not mix refrigerants in the same tank, and do not overfill the tank.
EPA handling rules
The core rules:
- Recover refrigerant before opening a system.
- Do not vent refrigerant to the atmosphere.
- Store recovered refrigerant in approved containers.
- Record the weight of refrigerant recovered and added.
The rules apply to R-134a, R-410A, and R-404A, and they are enforced by the EPA with fines for violations.
Storage and the environmental rules
Refrigerant must be stored in approved cylinders, labeled with the type, the weight, and the date. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. R-134a, R-410A, and R-404A are all HFCs, subject to the EPA's significant new alternatives policy. The rules are getting tighter, and the trend is toward lower-GWP refrigerants.
Remember this line: recover before you open, never vent, store in approved labeled
cylinders, and record the weights. That is the legal minimum.
Your progress
Knowledge check
3 questions · Graded on submission · Pass at 80%
Your attempt, best score, and certification status are saved to your student record.
Ready to go deeper?
Enroll in the full EPA 608 Prep track or grab the all-in-one package — pricing is shared when you enroll.