What is the primary function of a recovery machine in HVAC?

The primary function of a recovery machine in HVAC is to safely remove and store refrigerants for recycling or disposal. These machines are specifically designed to recover refrigerants from HVAC systems, especially during maintenance or servicing, ensuring that harmful substances do not escape into the atmosphere. This is crucial for environmental protection, as many refrigerants are potent greenhouse gases that can contribute to ozone depletion and climate change.

Recovery machines work by creating a vacuum, allowing the refrigerant to be extracted from the system. They can then store the refrigerant in tanks, where it can be recycled and reused or safely disposed of according to environmental regulations. By capturing refrigerants, recovery machines help technicians manage these substances responsibly, minimizing environmental impact.

Other options do not align with the primary function of a recovery machine. For example, while evaporating refrigerants is related to the cooling process, it is not what recovery machines do. Similarly, separating air from refrigerants is not a relevant function of recovery machines, as they deal primarily with refrigerant recovery rather than separation. Lastly, enhancing refrigerant efficiency refers to improving the performance of the refrigerant in a system, which is unrelated to the role of recovery machines.