Refrigerant recovery machines are to contractors what HVAC systems are to homeowners. Heating and cooling systems are usually the most expensive pieces of equipment in a house, and they need regular maintenance in order to keep running efficiently and for a long time. The same can be said of refrigerant recovery machines, which are some of the more expensive pieces of equipment used by technicians on a daily basis. Just like HVAC systems, they need regular maintenance in order to provide years of efficient, trouble-free operation.
While requirements differ based on the manufacturer and the type of equipment, there are standard maintenance procedures that can be applied to just about every recovery machine. For example, most recovery machines have a mesh filter screen on the inlet port that should be inspected before every job and either cleaned or replaced if it is excessively clogged or dirty, said Jon Romenesko, technical manager of communications and training, Appion Inc.