Describe what is meant by the term "refrigerant recovery."

The term "refrigerant recovery" refers to the process of capturing refrigerant from a refrigeration or air conditioning system in a way that allows for its collection, reuse, or recycling. This is an important practice in the HVAC industry, as it helps prevent harmful refrigerants from being released into the atmosphere, which can contribute to environmental damage and ozone depletion.

Recovery is typically performed using specialized equipment that ensures the refrigerant is safely and effectively removed from the system before any repairs or maintenance take place. This process not only helps in conserving refrigerants and adhering to environmental regulations, but it also supports the efficient operation of refrigeration systems by providing a method to reclaim potentially usable refrigerants.

Other options do not accurately define refrigerant recovery: releasing refrigerant into the atmosphere would violate environmental standards, injecting refrigerant back into the system does not involve capturing it for later use, and merely recycling for commercial use does not encompass the broader practice of recovery.