When faced with an unknown refrigerant type, which action is appropriate before servicing?

• A. Vent the refrigerant to atmosphere.
• B. Drain the refrigerant and dispose.
• C. Proceed by guessing the type.
• D. Do not vent; recover the refrigerant and identify its type from labels or data.

Answer: (D)

Always recover first. If you don’t know the refrigerant type, don’t vent or drain it out or guess what it is. Venting releases ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases and is illegal. Reclaim the refrigerant with approved recovery equipment, keeping it contained in a compliant cylinder. Once it’s recovered, identify the refrigerant from the unit’s labels, data plate, or service data and then follow the correct procedure for that specific refrigerant. This approach protects the environment and keeps you compliant while ensuring you handle the system safely.