What does "venting" a refrigerant mean?

Venting a refrigerant refers to the process of releasing refrigerant into the atmosphere. This process is typically considered harmful to the environment, particularly if the refrigerant in question has greenhouse gas properties. Regulations in many regions discourage or prohibit venting, as refrigerants can contribute to ozone depletion and climate change.

In contrast, transporting refrigerant to another location involves moving it safely through approved means, while recycling refrigerant for reuse signifies cleaning and reclaiming refrigerant so that it can be used again in systems. Evacuating refrigerant from a system pertains to safely removing refrigerant before maintenance or repair, often involving recovery systems to capture and store the refrigerant without releasing it into the atmosphere. Therefore, venting is specifically defined as the uncontrolled release of refrigerant, making it distinct from the other practices related to refrigerant management.