A shop services an R-12 freezer, an R-22 rooftop unit and an R-134a chiller. Which statement is true of the refrigerant in all three?
All three must be recovered rather than vented. CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs differ in what they are made of, in whether they deplete ozone and in their pressures, but the venting prohibition covers every one of them.
- It has an ozone depletion potential above zero
- It must be recovered rather than ventedCorrect answer
- It may be bought without any technician certification
- It may be handled only by a Type III technician
Why “It must be recovered rather than vented” is correct
R-12 is a CFC, R-22 is an HCFC and R-134a is an HFC. They differ in chemistry and in their effect on ozone, but the venting prohibition in 40 CFR 82.154(a) covers all three, so each must be recovered when the appliance is opened or disposed of.
Source: 40 CFR 82.154(a); 40 CFR 82.156; EPA: Test Topics
Why the other answers are wrong
- It has an ozone depletion potential above zero — R-134a is an HFC, which has an ozone depletion potential of zero.
- It may be bought without any technician certification — The sales restriction in 40 CFR 82.154(c) covers CFCs, HCFCs and non-exempt substitutes alike, with narrow exceptions.
- It may be handled only by a Type III technician — Type III covers low-pressure appliances. None of these three needs it, since the freezer is Type I work and the other two are Type II.
The source, word for word
No person maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration may knowingly vent or otherwise release into the environment any refrigerant from such appliances.
Because they do not contain chlorine or bromine, they do not deplete the ozone layer.
The three families compared
Chlorine and ozone depletion separate the families, because HFCs have neither. The legal duty to recover is what they share.
| CFC (R-12) | HCFC (R-22) | HFC (R-134a) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made of | Chlorine, fluorine, carbon | Hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, carbon | Hydrogen, fluorine, carbon |
| Contains chlorine | Yes | Yes | No |
| Depletes ozone | Yes, the most | Yes, much less than CFCs | No, ODP of zero |
| Venting banned, must be recovered | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What they do not share
Pressure is not shared either. Each refrigerant has its own pressure at a given temperature, which is why each has its own line on a pressure-temperature chart.
The level you must reach depends on the appliance, not the family: Table 1 in 40 CFR 82.156(a) for most appliances, and 40 CFR 82.156(b) for small appliances. The recovery rules guide has the full table.
Keep practicing
- EPA refrigerant recovery rules
- Refrigerant types: CFC, HCFC, HFC and HFO
- Does the venting ban cover HFCs?
- Which element destroys ozone
- EPA 608 Core practice test
Unofficial, not affiliated with the EPA or any EPA-approved certifying organization. Questions are original practice written from public EPA material, not real exam questions.