The Environmental Protection Agency prohibits venting automotive refrigerant to the environment under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act due to ozone layer damage. When an air conditioning system loses cooling ability, low refrigerant is typically the culprit, which indicates a leak requiring repair before recharging.
Vehicle air conditioning systems are sealed units. Modern cars use R134A refrigerant, while pre-1994 vehicles used Freon R12. Leaks introduce air and moisture into the system, which creates multiple problems. Air restricts the refrigerant's ability to transition between gas and liquid states, reducing cooling efficiency and causing pressure issues. Moisture triggers freeze-ups, restricts flow, and forms acid when combined with refrigerant, which can damage components.
Professional requirements
Certified automotive technicians must possess refrigerant handling certification and approved recovery/recycling equipment before diagnosing or servicing air conditioning systems. This regulatory requirement exists because proper charging demands precision, and improper connections to high-side pressure hoses pose safety hazards, while incorrect charge quantities damage components.
Issues with DIY kits
Store-purchased recharge kits often contain sealant to seal leaks. This contaminated refrigerant cannot be properly evacuated by professional shops and damages their recovery equipment. Contaminated refrigerant requires specialized hazardous waste disposal.
We recommend having air conditioning systems evacuated and properly charged by a trusted professional repair facility to protect the environment and prevent costly damage from additional contaminants.