EPA 608 Type 1 Practice Test (Small Appliances)
Last checked October 20, 2026
Type I covers small appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and window units. Try three sample questions now.
Question 1 of 3
Under the Section 608 rules, which description defines a "small appliance"?
Question 2 of 3
Which of these appliances is NOT a small appliance under the Section 608 definition?
Question 3 of 3
A factory-sealed commercial reach-in cooler holds 6 pounds of R-134a, a medium-pressure refrigerant. What certification does a technician need to service its sealed system?
What counts as a small appliance
EPA's definition has two parts. The appliance is fully manufactured, charged and hermetically sealed in a factory, and it holds 5 pounds or less of refrigerant (40 CFR 82.152).
If either part fails, it isn't Type I work. A field-piped split system is Type II, even if its charge is small.
The recovery numbers to know
Before you open or dispose of a small appliance, you recover the refrigerant with certified equipment. EPA gives three ways to meet the requirement (40 CFR 82.156(b)):
| Situation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Recovery equipment made before Nov 15, 1993 | Recover 80% of the refrigerant |
| Equipment made on or after Nov 15, 1993, compressor working | Recover 90% |
| Equipment made on or after Nov 15, 1993, compressor not working | Recover 80% |
| Any of the above, as an alternative | Evacuate to 4 in. Hg vacuum |
Questions often hide the compressor's condition in the stem. Read for it.
Other Type I topics
EPA's Type 1 topic list adds these (EPA test topics):
- System-dependent ("passive") recovery. This uses the appliance's own compressor or pressure. It's allowed on small appliances, but not on systems over 15 lb unless it's a permanent pump-out unit (40 CFR 82.156(e)). Run the compressor if it works.
- Dead compressors. Install access valves on both the high and low sides. Heat and tap the compressor to free trapped refrigerant.
- Access fittings. Remove solderless access fittings when you finish the job.
- Identifying refrigerant. Compare pressure and temperature to name the refrigerant and spot non-condensables.
- Safety. Refrigerants exposed to high heat or flame break down into dangerous products.
- Disposal. The final processor in the disposal chain must recover the refrigerant, or verify that it was removed, usually with a signed statement (40 CFR 82.155).
Mail-in, open-book or proctored
Type I is the one section that some programs offer as a mail-in test. EPA's rules set a higher bar for that format: 84%, or 21 of 25, instead of 70%. A mail-in Type I can't be counted toward Universal (40 CFR Part 82, Appendix D).
If you might want Type II or III later, consider taking Type I proctored along with a proctored Core.
How to practice
- Pass the free Core test first, since every card requires Core.
- Try the Type I samples above.
- Unlock the full Type I bank and the Universal mock exam with the $19 one-time Universal pass.
The pass covers Core plus Types I, II and III. There's no subscription.
Universal pass
- Full practice for Types I, II and III, plus free Core
- Timed 100-question Universal mock
- Retry lists, strategy tips and a citation on every question
Sources
- 40 CFR 82.152, definition of small appliance: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/section-82.152 (checked 2026-10-20)
- 40 CFR 82.156(b) and (e), evacuation of small appliances and system-dependent equipment: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/section-82.156 (checked 2026-10-20)
- 40 CFR 82.155, safe disposal: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/section-82.155 (checked 2026-10-20)
- 40 CFR Part 82, Appendix D to Subpart F (mail-in format, 84% passing score): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/appendix-Appendix%20D%20to%20Subpart%20F%20of%20Part%2082 (checked 2026-10-20)