What is the purpose of a vacuum pump in HVAC servicing?

The primary purpose of a vacuum pump in HVAC servicing is to remove air, moisture, and other non-condensable gases from a refrigeration system before charging it with refrigerant. This process, known as evacuation, is essential for ensuring the system's proper operation and longevity. Air and non-condensable gases can reduce the system's cooling capacity, increase energy consumption, and cause corrosion. Moisture can react with the refrigerant and oil to form acids and sludge, which can damage the compressor and other components. The vacuum pump creates a deep vacuum in the system, typically measured in microns, which is a unit of pressure equal to one-thousandth of a millimeter of mercury. A deep vacuum is necessary to boil off any remaining moisture in the system. The vacuum pump is connected to the system through service ports, and it runs until the desired vacuum level is achieved and maintained for a specified period. For example, after repairing a leak in a refrigeration system, the system must be evacuated to remove any air and moisture that may have entered. A properly evacuated system will operate more efficiently and reliably, and it will have a longer lifespan. The vacuum pump is an indispensable tool for HVAC technicians.