When using a system-dependent recovery on a unit with a non-operating compressor, a technician should:

In system-dependent recovery, particularly with a unit featuring a non-operating compressor, it is essential to ensure that the refrigerant is recovered effectively. By placing access fittings on both the low and high side, the technician can facilitate a complete recovery of refrigerant from the entire system instead of being reliant on the compressor.

Having access points on both sides allows for the retrieval of refrigerant that might still be held in different portions of the system, which is especially important when the compressor is not functioning to assist in moving the refrigerant. This method helps to minimize the potential for refrigerant venting into the atmosphere, aligning with both safety and environmental regulations.

The other approaches, while they might be practical in certain contexts or specific recovery scenarios, do not prioritize the integrity of the refrigerant recovery process or could lead to unsafe conditions. Heating oil, for instance, could cause risks of excessive pressure build-up, and cutting the suction line could lead to unnecessary refrigerant loss. Sending the unit to be crushed does not recover any refrigerant properly and disregards environmental obligations.