I was able to install this drip pan without recovering and recharging refrigerant in the sealed system, but it took some creativity and being very very careful lifting the evaporator off the drip pan to be able to remove old one and re install new pan. It took me a few hours to figure it out, but I did it. I have been a technician for over 22 years (not HVAC) which is why I decided to do it on my own, but I would not recommend replacing this pan by yourself unless you are a technician by trade and very mechanically inclined. It saved my 22 year old A/C unit!
