If you want to take your air conditioner with you when you move house, the most critical step is the refrigerant recovery done before removal. If this step is skipped or done wrong, the refrigerant escapes into the air, a completely new refrigerant charge is needed at the new home, and the air and moisture entering the system shorten the compressor's life. Knowing the logic of the process also helps you tell whether the technician who comes to you is working correctly.
What is refrigerant recovery (pump down)?
Refrigerant recovery is the process in which the refrigerant inside a split air conditioner is drawn into the outdoor unit's condenser by running the compressor and trapped there with the outdoor unit's service valves. It is known as "pump down" in English. When it is finished, the copper pipes and indoor unit are almost empty, and the refrigerant is safely stored inside the outdoor unit.
On the side of the outdoor unit, where the pipes connect, there are two service valves: the liquid line valve, to which the thin pipe is connected, and the gas (suction) line valve, to which the thick pipe is connected. Refrigerant recovery relies on closing these two valves in the right order and at the right time.
How does the technician do refrigerant recovery?
Refrigerant recovery is done by monitoring suction pressure with a manifold and following a specific sequence. The steps below describe the general flow of the process; they are for information, not for you to carry out yourself.
01The manifold is connected and the air conditioner is run in cooling mode
The technician connects the manifold to the outdoor unit's service port and runs the air conditioner in cooling mode at its lowest setting for a few minutes. It is checked that the compressor is running steadily and that the pressures are in the normal range.
02The liquid line valve is closed
When the thin pipe's valve is closed, no refrigerant goes from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, but the compressor keeps pulling the refrigerant out of the indoor unit and pipes. The suction pressure on the manifold starts to drop quickly.
03The gas line valve is closed when the pressure nears zero
When the suction pressure approaches zero, that is, atmospheric pressure, the thick pipe's valve is closed and the air conditioner is switched off right after. At this point the refrigerant is trapped in the outdoor unit. The compressor should not be run under vacuum for long, so timing matters.
04Power is cut, and the pipes are disconnected and capped
After the unit's power is cut at the fuse, the copper pipes are disconnected at the flare nuts. The pipe ends and the outdoor unit's ports are plugged or taped so that moisture, dust and insects cannot get in. Then the indoor unit is taken down from its mounting plate and the outdoor unit from its bracket.
Loosening pipe connections while the compressor is running is very dangerous. Air enters the system, and air mixed with oil can cause damage inside the compressor at high pressure, even to the point of an explosion. Refrigerant recovery and removal must always be left to a qualified technician.
Why is refrigerant recovery important?
Refrigerant recovery matters because it prevents loss of refrigerant, its release into the environment and air entering the system. Fluorinated gases such as R410A and R32, widely used in home air conditioners today, have a greenhouse effect, and the F-gas regulation requires that these gases not be released into the atmosphere and that the work be done by certified personnel.
The economic difference is also large. An air conditioner whose refrigerant was recovered correctly usually runs at the new address with no additional charge or only a small top-up, provided the pipe run has not become longer. An air conditioner whose refrigerant was released needs a vacuum and a full refrigerant charge at the new installation.
Are you moving?
We recover your air conditioner's refrigerant, remove it, and reinstall it at the new address with a vacuum and leak test.
R32 is a mildly flammable (A2L class) refrigerant. When removing and installing R32 air conditioners, extra attention must be paid to open flames, sparks and ventilation conditions.
What should you watch out for during transport?
The outdoor unit should be kept upright as much as possible and not laid on its side when it is moved. Brief tilts are not a problem for preventing compressor oil from escaping into the pipework, but carrying the unit flat or leaving it on its side for long is not recommended. At the new address, the unit is left upright for a while so the oil can settle back.
The indoor unit's coil (fins) is very sensitive to crushing; it should be carried with the front and back protected, preferably in its original box or wrapped in a thick cover. Keeping the service valves and ports from getting knocked is also important to prevent refrigerant leaks.
The wall hole, mounting plate and outdoor unit bracket left in the old home should also be part of the planning. If you are a tenant, closing the hole and repairing the facade should be discussed with the landlord in advance. At the new address, checking the outdoor unit's location, the building management's facade rules and the suitability of the electrical line before removal day shortens the time without air conditioning. If the unit is over ten years old and breaks down often, you may also consider switching to a new, efficient unit instead of moving it.
How should installation be done in the new home?
Two things are decisive in a new installation: the condition of the pipe run and the vacuum. Old copper pipes can be reused, but if they are crushed, dirty or too short for the new distance, they should be replaced. Flare connections must be remade and tightened to the torque value; reusing old flares is one of the most common causes of leaks.
After the pipes are connected, a vacuum is always pulled on the line and the indoor unit. The vacuum removes air and moisture from the pipes; skipping it leads to loss of efficiency, icing and eventually compressor failure. After the vacuum, the service valves are opened and the refrigerant held in the outdoor unit is released into the system. If the pipe length exceeds the pre-charge length specified by the manufacturer, additional refrigerant is added.
In the last step, the technician does a leak test and checks the operating pressures, discharge temperature and drain. For the effect of installation quality on air conditioner life and for new unit installation, you can look at our air conditioner sales and installation service.
What happens if it is removed without recovering the refrigerant?
An air conditioner removed without recovering the refrigerant is not broken, but it needs extra work at the new address. First, a leak check is done because of the refrigerant and moisture left in the system, and the filter drier is replaced if necessary; then a long vacuum is pulled and a full refrigerant charge is made according to the manufacturer's label value. We explain how refrigerant charging is done and the signs of low refrigerant on our refrigerant leak and charging page.
If the air conditioner does not cool as well as before after installation, the cause is most often low refrigerant, insufficient vacuum or a leak. In that case you can run the checks in our article on an air conditioner that does not cool, and call service if the problem continues.
YOİ Mühendislik teams carry out refrigerant recovery, removal, transport and reinstallation on all brands with a manifold and vacuum pump, in line with F-gas rules. For home and office moves involving more than one air conditioner, we plan the removal and installation days to shorten the time without air conditioning.
Frequently asked questions
How long does refrigerant recovery take?
Once the unit is running steadily in cooling mode, recovery usually takes a few minutes. Including removal and pipe sealing, the job for one air conditioner is often finished in under an hour.
Can I recover the refrigerant myself?
Not recommended. The process must be done while monitoring pressure with a manifold; disconnecting pipes while the compressor is running lets air into the system and creates a serious risk of accidents. Refrigerant recovery is a job for a qualified technician.
Does a moved air conditioner need to be recharged?
If the refrigerant was recovered correctly and the pipe run has not become longer, it is often not needed. If the pipe run is longer, an additional charge is made according to the manufacturer's value; if refrigerant was lost, a full charge is made after vacuum.
Can the old pipes be used when moving an air conditioner?
They can be if they are not crushed, are clean and are long enough for the new distance. The flares must be remade, and a vacuum must always be pulled after installation.