Freon question.
 

I am wanting to remove my A/C. It is not charged and I was wondering if it's safe to remove it or should I take it to a shop to have it discharged first. Is freon bad to come in contact with? How much does it cost to have the A/C discharged? Any info. would be great. Thanks!

FREON is absolutely safe. It's a very stable gas. You don't want to come in contact with it since it could freeze your skin. If your A/C isn't charged, I wouldn't pay someone to discharge it. Just keep your distance when pulling the lines off just in case you're wrong about it being not charged.

Your post is a little confusing. :confused: Is your a/c charged, or isnt it? If theres no gas in it, then you have nothing to lose. You can just take the fittings loose. If there is still gas in it, you really should have it recovered.

If you get a little on your skin it wont bother you, however you can get frostbite from an excessive amount. R-12 is extrememly harmful to the ozone. By releasing it you could end up with a big fine from the EPA. That is not likely, but under the right circumstances, it is possible.

The EPA rates different refrigerants by their "ODP" (Ozone Depletion Potential) R-12 rates a 3 on their scale. R-22 (used in home air conditioners) rates at a .3.

The higher the number, the higher the depletion potential. My point being, R-12 is very bad for the enviroment. Always recover it whenever possible.

andy

Freon is very bad for he atmosphere but is really not that dangerous if the one using it is not unsafe. I grew up in a auto A/C shop and used to play with the stuff freezing bugs and stuff. Just watch out for your eyes! I would check the charging valve if you push it in with a small screw driver or ice pick you should be able to tell if its charged or not.

Since they are making all new cars switch to the different kind of freon the older stuff is less and less common, I dont think they are even allowed to make it anymore...

Most repair shops recover the old freon, by vacuming it out, and then when they recharge the system they charge you for the difference they put in...

So I would imagine that they would discharge it for free.. specilay if they gain the difference in freon from it... though I dont know if they still use the r12 at all anymore... a couple years ago it was reall expensive i cant imagine what it goes for now. they might not even want it anymore..
-as

Thanks for the info. guys! I appreciate it!!