What would likely be the consequence of not sealing a service valve properly?

Not sealing a service valve properly can lead to a risk of refrigerant leak. When service valves are not adequately sealed, they create an opportunity for refrigerants to escape from the system. This can occur because refrigerants are under high pressure and any breach or improper sealing can lead to a loss of refrigerant. The implications of a refrigerant leak are significant, as it can not only compromise the efficiency of the cooling or heating system but also pose environmental hazards, given that many refrigerants are harmful to the ozone layer or contribute to climate change.

In addition to the environmental impact, a refrigerant leak can also lead to increased operating costs due to the need to recharge the system and increased energy consumption as the system operates less efficiently. This situation underscores the importance of ensuring proper sealing of service valves during maintenance or servicing of commercial air management systems.