Why Work With Northwest Pump

Northwest Pump has supplied petroleum fueling equipment since 1959, and vapor recovery hardware is part of that everyday work, not a side offering. When you order a nozzle through us, you get a component that has already been matched to your dispenser type, fuel grade, and state requirements, backed by a team that installs and services this equipment across the West every day.

• Certified inventory: We stock nozzles from OPW, Husky, Catlow, VST, and Healy, including CARB certified models for California facilities.
• Compliance know how: Our team can help you confirm whether your site needs EVR certified hanging hardware and which system, balance or vacuum assist, fits your existing dispensers.
• Complete hanging hardware: Nozzles, low permeation hoses, breakaways, and swivels are sourced and shipped together so your install goes smoothly the first time.
• Regional support: With branches across Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Hawaii, we can get replacement nozzles to your site fast.

What Is a Vapor Recovery Nozzle?

A vapor recovery nozzle looks like a standard fuel nozzle but does two jobs at once. While it delivers fuel into the vehicle through the spout, a second, sealed passage in the nozzle body captures the gasoline vapor pushed out of the vehicle’s tank and routes it back through the hose to the underground storage tank. That second passage, along with the rubber boot or bootless seal at the tip, is what distinguishes a vapor recovery nozzle from a conventional one.

This process is the second half of a two stage system. Stage I vapor recovery captures vapor when a tanker truck fills the underground storage tanks. Stage II, where vapor recovery nozzles do their work, captures vapor during the customer facing side of fueling.

Balance vs. Vacuum Assist Nozzles

Vapor recovery nozzles fall into two basic designs, and the right one depends on your dispenser setup and local requirements.

Balance Nozzles

Balance nozzles use the natural pressure created when fuel enters the vehicle’s tank to push vapor back through the hose to the storage tank, with no pump involved. A rubber bellows or boot forms a seal against the fill pipe to make this work. Balance systems cost less to install since they do not require a dedicated vacuum pump, which makes them a common choice for retrofits and smaller sites.

Vacuum Assist Nozzles

Vacuum assist nozzles add a small vacuum pump, usually mounted at the dispenser, that actively pulls vapor into the return line. Because the pump does the work instead of relying on pressure alone, vacuum assist systems generally hit a higher and more consistent vapor recovery rate, and many bootless designs are more comfortable for customers to use. This is the more common configuration for California EVR-compliant systems and higher-volume retail sites.

Compliance Requirements

Stage II vapor recovery requirements vary significantly by state. Many states have decommissioned their Stage II programs over the past several years because modern vehicles are built with onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) systems that capture vapor at the tank itself, reducing the need for nozzle-level recovery. California is the major exception.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues to require Phase II Enhanced Vapor Recovery (EVR) certified nozzles, low permeation hoses, breakaways, and swivels at gasoline dispensing facilities, and CARB certifies these systems under its CP-201, CP-206, and CP-207 procedures for underground tanks, aboveground tanks, and enhanced conventional nozzles, respectively.

If your site operates a pre-EVR balance system, CARB requires EVR-certified hanging hardware, meaning nozzles, breakaways, hoses, and swivels, when that hardware is replaced. If you are not sure whether your facility falls under an active Stage II mandate or an exemption, your local air district or CARB’s vapor recovery program is the authoritative source, and Northwest Pump can help you match the right certified component once you know your requirement.

Northwest Pump’s Vapor Recovery Nozzle Options

We carry vapor recovery nozzles from the manufacturers that fuel dispensing facilities rely on most:

• OPW: Including the OPW 11 Series conventional nozzles and the 12VM and 12VW vacuum assist nozzles, cycle tested for long service life in retail and commercial applications.
• Husky and Healy: Trusted balance and vacuum assist options built for high fuel volume retail sites.
• Catlow: Including the AVRN assist vapor recovery nozzle, built for a balanced center of gravity and easy one-hand operation.
• VST: A specialist in California EVR-compliant hardware, including the ENVIRO-LOC and Green Machine vapor recovery systems.

Every nozzle we supply is matched to your fuel grade, dispenser platform, and state requirements. Browse our current selection in the Northwest Pump shop, or see how vapor recovery nozzles fit into a full dispensing setup on our fuel dispensing equipment page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vapor Recovery Nozzles

What is the difference between Stage I and Stage II vapor recovery?
Stage I captures vapor when a tanker truck fills the underground storage tanks. Stage II captures vapor during vehicle refueling at the dispenser nozzle. Vapor recovery nozzles are a Stage II component.

Is Stage II vapor recovery still required?
It depends on the state. Many states have phased out Stage II requirements because modern vehicles capture vapor onboard. California still requires CARB-certified EVR hanging hardware at most gasoline dispensing facilities. Check with your local air district to confirm your site’s requirement.

What is the difference between a balance nozzle and a vacuum assist nozzle?
A balance nozzle uses the natural pressure of fueling to push vapor back to the storage tank, with no pump required. A vacuum assist nozzle uses a small pump to actively draw vapor into the return line, which typically achieves higher recovery efficiency.

Can vapor recovery nozzles be retrofitted onto existing dispensers?
In most cases, yes. Vapor recovery nozzles can be added to existing dispensers as part of a hanging hardware upgrade. Northwest Pump can help confirm compatibility with your current dispenser platform before you order.

How do I know if a nozzle is CARB EVR certified?
CARB-certified EVR nozzles are approved under a specific executive order and are documented on CARB’s certified equipment list. Northwest Pump’s team can confirm certification status for any nozzle you are considering.

How often should vapor recovery nozzles be inspected or replaced?
Most operators inspect nozzles, hoses, and breakaways as part of routine site maintenance, with replacement driven by wear, damage, or failed leak testing rather than a fixed calendar. States with active Stage II programs, including California, also require periodic functional testing of the full vapor recovery system.

Does Northwest Pump supply the hoses and breakaways along with the nozzle?
Yes. Northwest Pump supplies complete hanging hardware packages, including low permeation hoses, breakaways, and swivels, so your nozzle upgrade or replacement is fully compliant and ready to install.

Get the Right Vapor Recovery Nozzle for Your Site

Whether you are replacing worn hanging hardware or bringing a facility into compliance, Northwest Pump can help you select the right vapor recovery nozzle for your dispensers and your state’s requirements. Contact our petroleum equipment team or find your nearest branch to get started.