Core gives you the legal foundation. Type I adds the recovery thresholds, equipment rules, and access procedures that apply only to small appliances. Here is everything the 25 question section tests.

What EPA 608 Type I certification covers

EPA 608 Type I certification authorizes technicians to service small appliances, which are hermetically sealed systems manufactured with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant, under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. "Hermetically sealed at the factory" is the critical qualifier. The seal is applied during manufacturing, not by the technician in the field. Type I equipment is designed so that normal service does not require opening the refrigerant circuit. When it does become necessary, specific procedures apply.

Type I refrigerants are typically R-12 (older equipment, now phased out), R-134a, R-600a (isobutane, increasingly common in newer appliances), and R-290 (propane, in some commercial units). The specific refrigerant in the equipment determines which recovery procedure applies, but the 5 pound rule determines whether Type I or Type II certification is required. The AIM Act refrigerant changes are also affecting Type I appliances as lower GWP alternatives like R-600a become more common in household refrigerators.

The 5 pound rule: identifying Type I equipment

The 5 pound rule defines the boundary between Type I and Type II: any appliance manufactured with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant, hermetically sealed at the factory, is a Type I small appliance.

Appliance Typical refrigerant Typically ≤5 lbs? Certification required
Household refrigerator R-134a or R-600a YES Type I
Household freezer R-134a or R-600a YES Type I
Window air conditioner R-22, R-410A, or R-32 YES (most units) Type I
Dehumidifier R-134a YES Type I
Vending machine R-134a or R-12 YES Type I
Drinking water cooler R-134a YES Type I
Residential split system R-410A or R-32 NO (typically 3 to 15 lbs) Type II
Walk in cooler R-404A or R-448A NO Type II

The "manufactured with" standard is important. The question is not how much refrigerant the unit currently contains. It is how much the unit was manufactured to contain. A refrigerator that has been overcharged in the field still qualifies as a Type I appliance because it was manufactured with less than 5 pounds.

Type I recovery standards: 80% vs 90%

Type I recovery standards have two thresholds, both based on the operational status of the compressor at the time of recovery. This dual threshold rule is among the most tested Type I content on the EPA 608 exam.

The rule in one line: compressor operating = 90% recovery, compressor not operating = 80% recovery, or evacuate the appliance to 4 inches of mercury vacuum. The 4 inch vacuum is an alternative standard that satisfies the requirement either way, and it appears on the exam as often as the percentages do (40 CFR 82.158).

Recovery equipment built Compressor operating Compressor not operating Alternative standard
After November 15, 1993 (must be lab certified) 90% 80% 4 in Hg vacuum
Before November 15, 1993 80% 80% 4 in Hg vacuum

Equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993 must also be certified by an EPA approved testing organization. The thresholds apply whether you recover with system dependent or self contained equipment. Recovery is required above the de minimis 0.1 oz threshold even at the lower 80% standard.

Key rule: compressor status sets the threshold

Compressor operating means 90% minimum recovery. Compressor not operating means 80% minimum recovery. This distinction is the most frequently tested Type I content on the EPA 608 exam.

System dependent vs self contained recovery equipment

The distinction between system dependent and self contained recovery equipment is tested on the Type I exam because it connects directly to the 80%/90% threshold decision.

System dependent equipment uses the appliance's own compressor to remove the refrigerant. Advantages: inexpensive, requires no separate recovery machine. Disadvantages: requires a functioning compressor and is slower than self contained equipment for larger charges. Application: most household refrigerator and freezer service where the compressor is functional.

Self contained equipment has its own compressor and operates independently of the appliance. Advantages: works when the appliance compressor is not functional, is faster for larger charges, and can achieve higher recovery rates. Disadvantages: more expensive to own and requires transport to the service site. Application: required when the compressor is not operating and the 80% threshold applies.

Two limits the exam tests directly: system dependent (passive) equipment may only be used on appliances containing 15 pounds or less of refrigerant, and when the compressor does not run, passive recovery requires accessing both the high side and the low side of the system. Heating and gently tapping the compressor helps release refrigerant trapped in the oil. Expect scenario questions: connect compressor status to the recovery threshold, then to the equipment type.

Process stubs and accessing sealed systems

Small appliances are hermetically sealed, so accessing the refrigerant circuit requires a process stub. A process stub is a short copper tube attached to the refrigerant circuit during manufacturing, left in a pinched off state. To access the sealed system, a technician attaches a piercing valve or saddle valve to the process stub, then taps into the circuit.

Process stubs are the only approved access point for Type I equipment; the sealed circuit has no standard service ports. Leak test every piercing valve after installation, and never leave a solderless piercing valve on the system permanently. They leak over time, which is why the exam flags them as temporary access only.

After completing work, the process stub access must be re sealed. Leaving the circuit open after service is a Section 608 violation.

Recover before disposal: Refrigerant must be recovered from a small appliance before it is scrapped or landfilled. The final person in the disposal chain (a scrap yard or landfill) is responsible for verifying recovery, either by recovering the refrigerant themselves or by obtaining a signed statement that it was already recovered. Tossing a refrigerator with its charge intact is a Section 608 violation for whoever disposes of it.

Disposable cylinder prohibition: Recovered refrigerant from any Type I appliance must be stored in approved recovery cylinders that are DOT approved, color coded with a gray body and yellow collar (for mixed refrigerants) or refrigerant specific markings. Transferring recovered refrigerant into disposable (throwaway) cylinders is prohibited under 40 CFR Part 82. Disposables are not rated for recovery pressures.

Open book vs proctored: two ways to take Type I

Type I is the only EPA 608 certification you can earn through an open book, unproctored exam. The trade off is a higher passing bar and a dead end: ESCO's open book Type I requires 21 of 25 (84%) instead of the proctored 18 of 25 (72%), and a Core section passed open book does not count toward Type II, Type III, or Universal later. If you plan to go Universal, take Core proctored from the start.

Route Passing score Core stacks toward Type II/III/Universal?
Proctored (testing site or online proctor) 18 of 25 (72%) YES
Open book, unproctored (Type I only) 21 of 25 (84%, ESCO) NO

Provider thresholds vary slightly; see the EPA 608 passing score breakdown for ESCO, Mainstream, and HVAC Excellence specifics.

AIM Act impact on Type I appliances

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act is phasing down HFCs based on global warming potential (GWP). For Type I technicians, this means household refrigerators and small appliances are increasingly transitioning from R-134a (GWP 1,430) to hydrocarbon refrigerants like R-600a (isobutane, GWP 3) and R-290 (propane, GWP 3). These A3 (flammable) refrigerants require different safety protocols, standard recovery equipment may not be rated for them, and retrofitting an existing CFC or HFC system to a hydrocarbon refrigerant is prohibited. R-600a and R-290 are approved for listed new equipment only. The EPA 608 exam currently focuses on HFC and HCFC handling, but awareness of the A2L and A3 transition is increasingly tested in updated question sets.

For full AIM Act details affecting all certification types, see EPA 608 AIM Act changes.

Type I FAQ

What is an EPA Type I certification?
EPA 608 Type I certification authorizes service on small appliances, which are hermetically sealed systems manufactured with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant, including household refrigerators, freezers, window AC units, dehumidifiers, and vending machines.
Does a refrigerator need Type I or Type II certification?
A household refrigerator requires EPA 608 Type I. It is hermetically sealed at the factory and manufactured with less than 5 pounds of refrigerant, meeting the Type I small appliance definition.
How many questions are on the Type I EPA 608 exam?
The Type I section contains 25 questions. Passing requires 18 correct, which is 72%. The Type I exam is taken in addition to the Core section, and both must be passed for Type I certification.
What is the 80% recovery rule for Type I?
When recovering from a small appliance using system dependent recovery with a non operating compressor, technicians must recover at least 80% of the refrigerant charge. If the compressor is operating, the threshold rises to 90%.
Can I use a disposable cylinder for Type I recovery?
No. Recovered refrigerant must be stored in approved DOT recovery cylinders. Transferring to disposable cylinders is prohibited under Section 608 regardless of refrigerant type or appliance category.
Can I take the EPA 608 Type I exam open book?
Yes. Type I is the only EPA 608 certification available through an open book, unproctored exam. ESCO's open book version requires 21 of 25 (84%) instead of the proctored 18 of 25, and a Core section passed open book does not count toward Type II, Type III, or Universal.
Do I have to recover refrigerant before disposing of a small appliance?
Yes. Refrigerant must be recovered before a small appliance is scrapped. The final person in the disposal chain is responsible, either by recovering the charge or by obtaining a signed statement that recovery was already done.

Practice questions

Q1. Which of the following defines a Type I small appliance under EPA 608?
A) Any appliance manufactured with 50 pounds or less of refrigerant    B) Any hermetically sealed appliance manufactured with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant    C) Any appliance using R-134a or R-600a refrigerant    D) Any appliance used in residential applications
Answer: B. EPA 608 defines Type I small appliances as hermetically sealed systems manufactured with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant. Both conditions, hermetically sealed at the factory AND 5 lbs or less manufactured charge, must be met.
Q2. A technician is recovering refrigerant from a household refrigerator using the system's own compressor, which is operating normally. What is the minimum recovery percentage required?
A) 70%    B) 80%    C) 90%    D) 95%
Answer: C. When using system dependent recovery (the appliance's own compressor) and the compressor IS operating, the minimum recovery threshold for Type I small appliances is 90% of the refrigerant charge.
Q3. A technician finds that the compressor in a small appliance is not operating. What is the minimum recovery percentage required when using system dependent recovery?
A) 70%    B) 80%    C) 90%    D) 95%
Answer: B. When the appliance compressor is NOT operating, the minimum recovery threshold for Type I small appliances using system dependent recovery drops to 80%. A non operating compressor cannot assist recovery, hence the lower threshold.
Q4. Which of the following appliances is classified as a Type I small appliance under EPA 608?
A) A residential split system using R-410A    B) A walk in cooler with 75 lbs of R-404A    C) A household refrigerator using R-134a    D) A rooftop unit using R-22
Answer: C. A household refrigerator is hermetically sealed at the factory and manufactured with less than 5 lbs of refrigerant, meeting both criteria for Type I classification. The other options are Type II equipment using high pressure refrigerants.
Q5. What type of recovery uses the appliance's own compressor to remove refrigerant from a small appliance?
A) Self contained recovery    B) System dependent recovery    C) Passive recovery    D) Closed loop recovery
Answer: B. System dependent recovery uses the small appliance's own compressor to draw refrigerant from the system into the recovery cylinder. No external recovery machine compressor is used.
Q6. When is self contained recovery equipment preferred over system dependent recovery for Type I appliances?
A) When the refrigerant charge is greater than 5 lbs    B) When the appliance compressor is not operating    C) When recovering R-600a or R-290 refrigerant    D) When the technician does not have a recovery cylinder
Answer: B. Self contained recovery equipment has its own compressor and operates independently of the appliance. It is the appropriate choice when the appliance compressor is not functional, which would otherwise limit system dependent recovery.
Q7. What is a process stub on a small appliance?
A) A standard service port added by the technician    B) A short copper tube factory attached to the refrigerant circuit, left pinched off, used for access    C) A valve installed at the compressor discharge    D) A pressure relief fitting on the condenser
Answer: B. A process stub is a short copper tube attached to the refrigerant circuit during manufacturing and left pinched off. To access the hermetically sealed system, a technician attaches a piercing valve or saddle valve to the process stub.
Q8. After completing service on a small appliance through a process stub, what must the technician do?
A) Leave the stub open for future service access    B) Install a standard Schrader valve on the stub    C) Re seal the process stub access point    D) Cap the stub with a rubber plug
Answer: C. After completing work, the process stub access must be re sealed. Leaving the refrigerant circuit open after service is a Section 608 violation.
Q9. May a technician transfer recovered refrigerant from a Type I appliance into a disposable (throwaway) cylinder?
A) Yes, if the cylinder is less than half full    B) Yes, for refrigerants with low flammability    C) No, transferring to disposable cylinders is prohibited under Section 608    D) Yes, if the technician is certified Universal
Answer: C. Recovered refrigerant from any Type I appliance must be stored in approved DOT recovery cylinders. Transferring recovered refrigerant into disposable cylinders is prohibited under 40 CFR Part 82 regardless of refrigerant type or quantity.
Q10. The 80%/90% recovery thresholds for Type I equipment apply to recovery equipment manufactured after what date?
A) July 1, 1992    B) January 1, 1993    C) November 15, 1993    D) November 15, 1995
Answer: C. The 80%/90% recovery thresholds apply to recovery equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993. Pre 1993 recovery equipment has different (lower) efficiency requirements.
Q11. A window air conditioner was manufactured with 3 lbs of R-22 but has been overcharged in the field to contain 6 lbs. Which certification type is required to service it?
A) Type II, it now contains more than 5 lbs    B) Type I, it was manufactured with 5 lbs or less    C) Either Type I or Type II, the technician may choose    D) Universal, only Universal applies when the charge has been altered
Answer: B. The 5 pound rule is based on the manufactured charge, not the current charge. A window AC manufactured with 3 lbs of refrigerant is a Type I appliance regardless of what is currently in it.
Q12. How many questions are on the EPA 608 Type I section, and what score is required to pass?
A) 25 questions; 15 correct (60%)    B) 25 questions; 18 correct (72%)    C) 50 questions; 35 correct (74%)    D) 30 questions; 21 correct (75%)
Answer: B. The EPA 608 Type I section contains 25 questions. Passing requires 18 correct answers (72% threshold). Type I is taken in addition to the Core section, and both must pass for Type I certification.

Continue your study path

Type I covers small appliances. Next, study Type II high pressure systems, Type III low pressure chillers, or go straight to the Universal certification study guide.

Practice Type I questions

Drill the 5 pound rule, the 80%/90% recovery thresholds, system dependent vs self contained equipment, and process stub procedures against 569 verified questions.

Aligned with ESCO Institute, Mainstream Engineering, and HVAC Excellence exam formats.

Start Type I Practice Test Core Study Guide

Part of the EPA 608 study guides collection

This Type I study guide is part of our complete EPA 608 study guides library, covering Core, Type I, Type II, Type III, Universal, and a condensed cheat sheet for last minute review.