EPA 608 Type I Practice Test: Real Questions & Answers (Small Appliances)

Correct answer: B. 5 lbs

The EPA's definition: small appliance = fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with five pounds or less of refrigerant. The 5-lb threshold is the defining boundary for Type I scope.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.152

Correct answer: C. PTAC factory-charged with ≤5 lbs of refrigerant

EPA's small appliance definition explicitly includes: home refrigerators/freezers, room AC, PTACs, packaged terminal heat pumps, dehumidifiers, under-counter ice makers, vending machines, and water coolers — all when factory-sealed with ≤5 lbs.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: D. Uses only HFC refrigerants

Three required characteristics: factory-manufactured, factory-charged, factory-sealed with ≤5 lbs. No restriction on refrigerant type — can contain CFCs (R-12), HCFCs (R-22), HFCs (R-134a), or hydrocarbons (R-600a).

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: C. 90%

40 CFR 82.156(b): post-Nov 15, 1993 equipment must recover 90% of refrigerant when the appliance compressor is functioning. The 90% rule requires BOTH (1) post-1993 equipment AND (2) a working compressor. Most-missed Type I question.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156(b)

Correct answer: A. 80%

40 CFR 82.156(b): 80% required when the compressor is NOT functioning — even with post-1993 equipment. The lower 80% threshold applies because without a working compressor, moving refrigerant is harder. Many incorrectly assume 90% always applies with newer equipment.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156(b)

Correct answer: B. 80% regardless of compressor status, OR evacuate to 4 inches of mercury vacuum

Pre-Nov 15, 1993 equipment must recover 80% OR evacuate to 4 in Hg vacuum. The operating/non-operating compressor distinction (90%/80%) ONLY applies to post-1993 equipment. Older equipment has flat 80% with 4-in vacuum alternative.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156(b)

Correct answer: B. Evacuate the appliance to 4 inches of mercury vacuum

82.156(b): may alternatively evacuate to 4 inches of mercury vacuum as a substitute for the percentage thresholds. Applies regardless of equipment manufacture date or compressor status.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156(b)

Correct answer: C. 90% when test-stand compressor is operational; 80% when not operational

40 CFR 82.158(e): recovery equipment must be certified to recover 90% when the test-stand compressor is operational and 80% when not operational. Mirrors the field recovery requirements.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.158(e)

Correct answer: B. Two types — manual and automatic

EPA recognizes two types: manual (technician closes before disconnect) and automatic (spring-loaded self-seal). Both minimize refrigerant release during connection/disconnection.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.158

Correct answer: B. Recovery using the appliance's own compressor to move refrigerant into a recovery vessel

System-dependent (passive) recovery uses the appliance's own internal compressor to pump refrigerant out. Doesn't require a separate recovery machine motor. Contrasts with self-contained (active) recovery, which has its own motor-compressor.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: B. Because small appliances are hermetically sealed with no built-in service ports

Small appliances are factory-sealed hermetic systems with no built-in Schrader valves or service ports. Technicians must install access fittings to create a recovery connection point.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: C. Remove it — solderless piercing valves tend to leak over time

Solderless piercing valves should not be left permanently — they tend to leak over time. Leaving a leaking valve on an appliance would constitute illegal venting.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: B. High side only

With a fully blocked cap tube, refrigerant cannot migrate from high to low side. With the compressor running, refrigerant accumulates on the high side. Connect to the high side for maximum recovery; the low side would yield very little.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: B. Raises the temperature and pressure of refrigerant trapped in the evaporator, driving it toward the recovery equipment

Defrost heater warms the evaporator, raising trapped refrigerant's saturation pressure. The pressure increase drives more vapor toward the recovery vessel — useful when the compressor is non-operational. Only available in frost-free models.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: C. No — Section 608 certification is NOT required for small appliance disposal

EPA recognizes the practical impossibility of certifying everyone who might handle a household refrigerator at end of life. Larger appliances require certified technicians for refrigerant recovery.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.155

Correct answer: C. Three years

Mid-sized appliances (5–50 lbs) require three-year recovery record retention. Small appliances (≤5 lbs) have no equivalent recordkeeping requirement. Larger appliances (50+ lbs) have additional requirements.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.166

Correct answer: B. A recovery cylinder specifically designated for HFC-134a

Recovered refrigerant must be stored in a cylinder designated for that specific refrigerant. Mixing different refrigerants creates a contaminated blend that can only be sent for destruction — cannot be reused.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: C. R-12 (CFC-12)

R-12 (CFC) was standard in household refrigerators and freezers before the CFC phase-out. R-134a (HFC) replaced R-12 during the 1990s. Type I technicians encounter both — R-12 in legacy appliances, R-134a in newer.

Correct answer: B. R-600a is isobutane; approved as a factory charge in NEW small appliances such as household refrigerators

R-600a = isobutane, a hydrocarbon refrigerant approved under EPA's SNAP program as a substitute in NEW household refrigerators. Highly efficient but flammable. May NOT be used to retrofit existing systems — for new, purpose-built equipment only.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart G (SNAP)

Correct answer: C. No; EPA prohibits retrofitting existing systems with hydrocarbon refrigerants not originally designed for them

EPA prohibits retrofitting existing systems with hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are SNAP-approved only for factory installation in new equipment specifically engineered for their use. Retrofitting poses safety risks (flammability).

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart G (SNAP)

Correct answer: B. Vent the nitrogen — it cannot be recovered with the refrigerant and would contaminate it

Nitrogen must be vented before refrigerant recovery — it's non-condensable and will contaminate refrigerant if mixed. Nitrogen isn't a regulated substance under Section 608, so venting it is permitted. Refrigerant must be fully recovered before or after.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: C. R-717 (ammonia)

R-717 (ammonia) is exempt from Section 608 sales restrictions — it's neither Class I nor Class II ODS. R-22, R-12, and R-134a (in small containers) are subject to certified-purchaser restrictions.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.154

Correct answer: B. 20 lbs

40 CFR 82.154(l) restricts the sale of Class I (CFC) and Class II (HCFC) refrigerants in containers of less than 20 pounds to certified technicians only. Prevents uncertified individuals from buying small consumer canisters.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.154(l)

Correct answer: C. Type I (Small Appliances) only

Type I is the ONLY Section 608 type that may be taken open-book. Technicians may bring reference materials. Core, Type II, and Type III must all be taken closed-book under proctored conditions.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.161

Correct answer: D. 84%

Open-book Type I requires 84% (21/25) — higher than the standard 72% closed-book threshold. The higher bar compensates for the advantage of reference materials.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.161

Correct answer: B. Higher-than-normal high-side pressure

Air is a non-condensable gas — accumulates on the high side. Raises discharge pressure above what the refrigerant's PT chart would predict for the ambient. Comparing actual high-side to PT chart value identifies non-condensable contamination.

Reference: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F

Correct answer: C. Hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid (and possibly phosgene)

CFC/HCFC refrigerants exposed to high heat (brazing, welding) decompose to form hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and possibly phosgene gas — all extremely hazardous. Never ignite refrigerants; ensure ventilation near heat sources.

Reference: EPA training materials

Correct answer: C. Safety glasses and butyl rubber gloves

Safety glasses and butyl rubber gloves are the required PPE. Liquid refrigerant under pressure can cause severe frostbite-like skin and eye injuries. Low charge doesn't eliminate this hazard.

Reference: EPA safety guidance