Is that the case for everyone or just licensed people? Can I, a person who “doesn’t know any better”, just take an ice pick to the coils/line to let out the refrigerant or is that illegal as well?
In the automotive field, professional repair facilities are prohibited from venting refrigerant to the atmosphere and must reclaim it instead, while everyday individuals are not bound by these regulations. I suspect it’s the same with household devices that use refrigerants.
Yep, it’s a Federal crime, licensed or not. Like other laws, “I didn’t know” isn’t an effective defense.
Do people do it all the time? Sure, even licensed contractors.