What is a potential risk of not using a recovery unit?

Not using a recovery unit can lead to significant legal penalties and environmental harm. Recovery units are designed to safely capture refrigerants during maintenance, repair, or disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Refrigerants can be harmful to the environment, especially to the ozone layer and contribute to global warming if released into the atmosphere. Regulations such as the Clean Air Act impose strict guidelines on the handling and disposal of refrigerants. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines and legal action against technicians and businesses. Furthermore, the improper release of refrigerants can cause adverse environmental impacts, reinforcing the importance of using recovery units not just for legal compliance, but also for environmental protection.