air conditoner guy advice preferably from a hvac or someone with knowledge of this.

In order for a unit to be taken off the house the freon is recovered as you have to cut the copper piping running into the house before replacing it. So if it was just laying there it was already recovered.

Originally Posted by F350scrapper

In order for a unit to be taken off the house the freon is recovered as you have to cut the copper piping running into the house before replacing it. So if it was just laying there it was already recovered.

Not always true. I use to believe this also. Central air units can be removed from the house and still be charged.

Originally Posted by F350scrapper

In order for a unit to be taken off the house the freon is recovered as you have to cut the copper piping running into the house before replacing it. So if it was just laying there it was already recovered.

This belief will get you in trouble one day. Most central air units have valves that can be closed to isolate either the condenser and or the evaporator. If one of these units is being replaced, the valves can be closed and the refrigerant in the lines between them removed. New units (with refrigerant already in them) are reconnected and additional refrigerant is added to fill the lines in between. I have a unit sitting in my driveway right now. Guy I got it from thought it was drained. Label says it has 7 pounds of R22. I know that I'm not taking a chance. I'll hook up the Apion and pull the required vacuum and see what I get. Either way, it's better than taking a chance and getting fined, not to mention the environmental concerns.