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The EPA HVAC Type I Certification covers small appliance maintenance and handling such as domestic refrigerators, window air conditioners, PTACs (package terminal air conditioner) and vending machines with five pounds or less of refrigerant. If you are a HVAC technician planning on working with these appliances you will need the EPA 608 Type 1 Certification. You can take the EPA Core exam plus any combination of EPA HVAC Type 1, EPA HVAC Type 2, and EPA HVAC Type 3 all independently of one another. So you can be EPA 608 Type 1 certified only. Many HVAC techs choose to take their exams one by one as a way to study and concentrate on one exam at a time. Some techs, handymen and repair contractors know that all their business will be from EPA Type 1 kind of work, so they aren’t worried about EPA Type 2 or Type 3.
About the EPA Type 1 Certification Exam
The EPA 608 Type 1 Certification is 25 questions covering recovery requirements and recovery techniques. A passing grade is 18 out of 25 questions correct. There are many overlap questions on the exam between the EPA Core exam and the EPA Type 1 exam and you will have to take both exams at the same time. Some of the EPA Core test questions you will see on the exam cover topics on substitute refrigerants and oils, general safety, refrigerant cylinders and refrigerant cylinder shipping. When you pass one EPA exam, you do not have to retake it and can start studying for the next exam. The other good thing is that once you are EPA certified, you have the certification for life and do not need to retake the exams or have continuing education classes to maintain the certification.
Why is the Type 1 EPA exam important?
Having your EPA Section 608 Type 1 Certification is important to provide a baseline of knowledge, handling and safety in the US. The EPA Type 1 and Core exams is challenging enough as it is and not because the exams test you on your field experience, although your experience with refrigerant in the field is helpful, but because the exam require you to be more of a test taker and catch trick questions.
Another challenge you’ll face when studying for your EPA Type 1 is that there is virtually training for the exam, it is all self study, which can be very boring. This is 100% book exam with no field test, you all the studying you’ll have to do will be a book setting. The EPA does not provide training either. There is no limit on the amount of re-tests you can do for the EPA refrigerant certification but the exams can get pricey because you’ll have to pay the cost to re-take the exam again.
Another challenge you’ll face when studying for your EPA Type 1 is that there is virtually training for the exam, it is all self study, which can be very boring. This is 100% book exam with no field test, you all the studying you’ll have to do will be a book setting. The EPA does not provide training either. There is no limit on the amount of re-tests you can do for the EPA refrigerant certification but the exams can get pricey because you’ll have to pay the cost to re-take the exam again.
Some important highlights from the EPA Certification Type 1 Exam
A motorized vehicle air conditioning system (MVAC) does not fall under the EPA Type 1 regulations and is not on the exam. Only EPA Type 1 certified technicians can purchase CFC and HCFC refrigerants. It’s important to note that if the EPA decides to change their regulations, then it’s the technicians responsibility to stay on top of the new laws but you should see signs plastered all over the wall at your local HVAC supply shop if that happens. Recovery equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993 must be capable of recovering 80% of the refrigerant whether or not the compressor is operating or achieve a 4 inch vacuum under conditions of ARI 740. Recovery equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993 must be capable of recovering 80% of the refrigerant without the compressor operating or achieve a 4 inch vacuum under conditions of ARI 740; be capable of recovering 90% of the refrigerant with the compressor operating or achieve a 4 inch vacuum under conditions of ARI 740.
Recovery equipment fittings must be equipped with low-loss fittings which can be manually or automatically closed when disconnecting hoses in order to prevent refrigerant loss. All appliances must have a service aperture valve for recovering and charging refrigerants. Self-contained (active) recovery equipment uses its own power to recover the refrigerant from systems and is capable of reaching the required recovery rates with or without the compressor operating. A system-dependent (passive) recovery process captures refrigerant into a non-pressurized container. The system-dependent equipment uses the system’s compressor, an external heat source, or a vacuum pump to recover the refrigerant. A vacuum pump can only be used as a recovery device in combination with a non-pressurized container and cannot be used with self-contained recovery equipment (pressurized container). Small appliances used in campers or other recreational vehicles may use refrigerants not covered in Section 608, such as ammonia, hydrogen or water and therefore, should not be recovered using current EPA-approved recovery devices. Similarly, systems built before 1950 may have methyl formate, methyl chloride, or sulfur dioxide as refrigerants and require special recovery equipment.
You can view practice test questions on the EPA Certification exam here.
EPA's website link on EPA Certification Type 1 Exam
Recovery equipment fittings must be equipped with low-loss fittings which can be manually or automatically closed when disconnecting hoses in order to prevent refrigerant loss. All appliances must have a service aperture valve for recovering and charging refrigerants. Self-contained (active) recovery equipment uses its own power to recover the refrigerant from systems and is capable of reaching the required recovery rates with or without the compressor operating. A system-dependent (passive) recovery process captures refrigerant into a non-pressurized container. The system-dependent equipment uses the system’s compressor, an external heat source, or a vacuum pump to recover the refrigerant. A vacuum pump can only be used as a recovery device in combination with a non-pressurized container and cannot be used with self-contained recovery equipment (pressurized container). Small appliances used in campers or other recreational vehicles may use refrigerants not covered in Section 608, such as ammonia, hydrogen or water and therefore, should not be recovered using current EPA-approved recovery devices. Similarly, systems built before 1950 may have methyl formate, methyl chloride, or sulfur dioxide as refrigerants and require special recovery equipment.
You can view practice test questions on the EPA Certification exam here.
EPA's website link on EPA Certification Type 1 Exam