What kind of appliance is it under the regulation?

Recovery requirements · EPA 608 Type I. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

The small-appliance definition and the recovery levels required.

The question

A packaged terminal air heat pump (PTAC-style unit) is factory-sealed with 2.5 pounds of R-410A. What kind of appliance is it under the regulation?

• AA high-pressure appliance that needs Type II certification
• BA low-pressure appliance, serviced under Type III
• CA small appliance, serviced under Type I certificationCorrect answer
• DAn appliance exempt from Section 608 because it holds under 5 pounds

Why “A small appliance, serviced under Type I certification” is correct

The definition of small appliance in 82.152 lists room air conditioners, "including window air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and packaged terminal air heat pumps." A factory-sealed unit with 5 pounds or less is a small appliance whatever refrigerant it uses, and 82.161(a)(1)(i) requires Type I certification to service it.

Source: 40 CFR 82.152; 40 CFR 82.161(a)

Why the other answers are wrong

• A high-pressure appliance that needs Type II certification — R-410A does make it a high-pressure appliance by refrigerant, but 82.161(a)(1)(ii) excludes small appliances from Type II; servicing it needs Type I.
• A low-pressure appliance, serviced under Type III — Low-pressure appliances use refrigerants such as R-123 with a saturation pressure below 45 psia at 104 °F; R-410A is not one.
• An appliance exempt from Section 608 because it holds under 5 pounds — Small appliances are not exempt; they have their own recovery levels and need a Type I technician.

Practice more of this

More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.