Critical Rule: The EPA 608 exam is NOT open book. You must memorize these facts. Venting refrigerant into the atmosphere is a federal violation under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
Certification Types
| Type | Equipment Covered | Refrigerant |
|---|
| Type I | Small appliances — hermetically sealed, factory-charged | ≤ 5 lbs |
| Type II | High-pressure equipment — R-22, R-410A, R-404A, R-134a | > 5 lbs |
| Type III | Low-pressure equipment — large centrifugal chillers (R-11, R-123) | > 5 lbs |
| Universal | All three types above | All |
Pass score: 70% on each section. Must pass Core + the relevant type section(s).
Refrigerant Classes
| Code | Safety Class | Meaning |
|---|
| A1 | Non-toxic, non-flammable | R-22, R-410A, R-134a, R-404A |
| A2L | Non-toxic, mildly flammable | R-32, R-454B, R-466A — require special handling |
| A3 | Non-toxic, highly flammable | Propane (R-290), isobutane |
| B1 | Toxic, non-flammable | R-717 (ammonia) |
Recovery Requirements
Recovery is required before opening any refrigerant-containing system for service. Level of recovery required depends on system charge size:
| System Charge | Recovery Efficiency Required |
|---|
| Very high-pressure (R-22, etc.) < 200 lbs | 90% if compressor works; 80% if not |
| High-pressure (R-22) ≥ 200 lbs | 80% |
| Low-pressure (R-11, R-123) | 90% (vapor); specific vacuum levels apply |
Common Refrigerants — ODP and GWP
| Refrigerant | Type | ODP | GWP | Status |
|---|
| R-11 | CFC | 1.0 | 4,750 | Phased out |
| R-12 | CFC | 1.0 | 10,900 | Phased out |
| R-22 | HCFC | 0.055 | 1,810 | Production ended 2020 |
| R-113 | CFC | 0.8 | 6,130 | Phased out |
| R-123 | HCFC | 0.012 | 77 | Low-pressure chiller use |
| R-134a | HFC | 0 | 1,430 | Being phased down (AIM Act) |
| R-404A | HFC blend | 0 | 3,922 | Being phased down (high GWP) |
| R-410A | HFC blend | 0 | 2,088 | Being phased down |
| R-32 | HFC | 0 | 675 | Growing — A2L, R-410A replacement |
| R-454B | HFO blend | 0 | 466 | R-410A replacement — A2L |
| R-744 (CO²) | Natural | 0 | 1 | Growing in commercial |
| R-717 (NH³) | Natural | 0 | 0 | Industrial refrigeration |
ODP = Ozone Depletion Potential (R-11 = 1.0 reference). GWP = Global Warming Potential (CO² = 1 reference over 100 years).
Key Regulations to Know for the Core Exam
| Topic | Rule |
|---|
| Venting refrigerant | Illegal to knowingly vent any regulated refrigerant (Class I, II, or HFCs) into the atmosphere. Violations carry civil penalties up to $44,539 per day per violation. |
| Purchase of refrigerant | EPA 608 certified technician required to purchase refrigerants in containers larger than 2 lbs (HFCs). For CFCs and HCFCs, certification required for any purchase. |
| Record keeping | Systems with ≥ 50 lbs of refrigerant: maintain records of refrigerant added, recovered, and purchased. Records kept for 3 years. |
| Leak rate threshold | Systems ≥ 50 lbs: report and repair leaks that exceed 125% of charge per year (commercial refrigeration) or 30% per year (other equipment). Must be repaired within 30 days. |
| Recovery equipment certification | Recovery equipment must be certified to EPA standards (UL 1963 or ARI 740). Technician-owned equipment built before November 15, 1993, may be grandfathered. |
| CFC phase-out (Montreal Protocol) | CFC production ended December 31, 1995. R-12, R-11, R-113 no longer manufactured. Reclaimed refrigerant may still be used for service. |
| HCFC phase-out | R-22 production for new equipment ended 2010. All R-22 production/import ended January 1, 2020. Only reclaimed or recovered R-22 may now be used for service. |
| AIM Act (HFC phase-down) | The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (2020) mandates an 85% reduction in HFC production by 2036. R-410A, R-404A, R-134a being phased down in steps. |
| A2L refrigerant handling | R-32, R-454B, and other A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable. No ignition sources during handling. Recovery equipment must be rated for A2L refrigerants. Brazing requires oxygen-free nitrogen purge. |
Recovery vs. Recycling vs. Reclaiming
| Term | Definition | Who Can Do It |
|---|
| Recovery | Removing refrigerant from a system into a recovery cylinder. Refrigerant may be contaminated. Cannot be resold. | EPA 608 certified technician |
| Recycling | Cleaning recovered refrigerant to be reused in the same or another system of the same owner using oil separation and single-pass filtration. Not resellable. | Certified technician with recycling equipment |
| Reclaiming | Processing recovered refrigerant back to AHRI 700 purity standards at an EPA-certified reclaim facility. The only refrigerant that can be resold for use in another system. | EPA-certified reclaim facility only |
Exam Tips
- The exam is closed book. Memorize ODP and GWP for R-11, R-12, R-22, R-410A, R-134a, R-404A, R-32, and R-454B.
- Know the difference between recovery, recycling, and reclaiming — this comes up on almost every exam.
- Remember: Any intentional venting of refrigerant is illegal. The “de minimis” exemption only applies to refrigerants released incidentally, not intentionally.
- Know the AIM Act — it phases down HFCs based on GWP, not ozone depletion. Different from the Montreal Protocol (which targeted ODP).
- For A2L refrigerants: key differences are handling (no ignition sources, nitrogen purge before brazing) and equipment ratings (not all recovery machines are rated for A2L).