Every Ounce Counts: The State of Refrigerant Recovery

In this candid follow-up to our impromptu conversation at the 2026 National HVACR Education Conference, we bring together technicians, trainers, reclaimers and refrigerant management experts to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing our industry. With only about 3% of refrigerant making it back to a reclaimer and the next HFC phase-down step approaching in 2029, the panel takes an honest look at where we stand and what happens if we don't change course.

We explore:

• Why recovery rates need to double or triple to keep service gas available for existing equipment

• The differences between recover, recycle and reclaim, and why field-cleaned refrigerant isn't the same as certified reclaimed gas

• How small charges add up, from bar coolers to ice machines

• Why drop-off fees at the distributor level work against the entire supply chain

• The culture shift underway as technicians hold themselves and each other accountable

• How record keeping and tracking software support compliance

The panel shares straight talk and practical perspective for technicians, contractors, distributors and instructors who want to protect the future of the trade. Whether you work on thousand-pound chillers or 12-ounce self-contained units, this episode is a reminder that the refrigerant in today's equipment is tomorrow's supply.

Take the anonymous refrigerant recovery survey and tell us what would move the needle: https://form.jotform.com/261955475258066. #HVACR #Refrigerant #Reclaim #Trades #ESCO #ESCOInstitute

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