EPA 608 Certification Exam Prep 2026 | 200 Practice
Questions with Answers & Explanations | HVAC Study
Guide
SECTION A: OZONE DEPLETION & ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS (Questions 1–
60)
1. Which of the following refrigerants has the highest ozone depletion potential (ODP)?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-410A
D. R-1234yf
Answer: A
Explanation: R-12 is a CFC with ODP of 1.0; R-134a, R-410A, and R-1234yf have zero ODP.
2. The Montreal Protocol, as amended, requires a phase-out of HCFC refrigerants by which year
in developed countries?
A. 2020
B. 2010
C. 2030
D. 2025
Answer: A
Explanation: HCFC production phase-out in developed countries was completed by 2020;
servicing allowed with recycled stock.
3. A technician finds a leak in a refrigeration system containing R-22. Under EPA regulations,
what is the maximum allowable annual leak rate for a commercial refrigeration system with a
50-pound charge before mandatory repair is required?
A. 20%
,B. 15%
C. 30%
D. 10%
Answer: A
Explanation: For commercial refrigeration (R-22), the leak rate threshold is 20% per year;
industrial process refrigeration is 30%.
4. Which of the following statements about stratospheric ozone is true?
A. Ozone depletion allows more UV-B radiation to reach Earth
B. Ozone is primarily destroyed by carbon dioxide
C. The ozone layer is located in the troposphere
D. Ozone depletion increases plant growth
Answer: A
Explanation: Ozone depletion increases UV-B exposure, causing skin cancer, cataracts, and
ecosystem damage.
5. A technician recovers R-410A from a system. The recovered refrigerant can be:
A. Recycled and returned to the same owner
B. Vented to the atmosphere if the system is being retired
C. Sold to another technician without verification
D. Mixed with R-22 to improve efficiency
Answer: A
Explanation: Recovered refrigerant may be recycled for reuse by the same owner; mixing is
illegal and dangerous.
6. Which of the following is an ozone-depleting substance (ODS) that is still allowed for use in
new equipment in the United States as of 2026?
A. None; all ODS production has been phased out except for service
B. R-22
C. R-123
,D. R-11
Answer: A
Explanation: Production of all CFCs and HCFCs for new equipment is phased out; only recycled
or stockpiled refrigerants may be used for servicing.
7. What is the primary function of the Clean Air Act (CAA) regarding refrigerants?
A. Prohibit venting of CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants
B. Allow venting of HFCs because they have zero ODP
C. Only regulate refrigerants used in automotive AC
D. Mandate recovery only for systems over 50 pounds
Answer: A
Explanation: The CAA prohibits venting of all refrigerants (CFC, HCFC, HFC) and requires
recovery.
8. A technician is working on a small appliance (5 lbs of R-134a). What is the required
evacuation level before disposing of the appliance?
A. 0 inches of mercury (vacuum)
B. 4 inches of mercury vacuum
C. 10 inches of mercury vacuum
D. 15 inches of mercury vacuum
Answer: A
Explanation: For small appliances, recovery to 0 psig (atmospheric pressure) or 4 inches of
vacuum using a recovery device is required.
9. Which refrigerant has the lowest global warming potential (GWP) among these options?
A. R-1234yf
B. R-134a
C. R-404A
D. R-410A
Answer: A
, Explanation: R-1234yf has GWP of 4; R-134a GWP 1430; R-404A GWP 3922; R-410A GWP
2088.
10. Under EPA Section 608, what is the maximum fine for venting refrigerant?
A. $44,539 per day per violation
B. $5,000 per occurrence
C. $10,000 per violation
D. $1,000 per pound vented
Answer: A
Explanation: EPA can impose civil penalties up to $44,539 per day per violation (adjusted
annually).
11. Which of the following is a Class I substance under the Clean Air Act?
A. R-11 (CFC-11)
B. R-123
C. R-22
D. R-124
Answer: A
Explanation: Class I substances include CFCs (R-11, R-12) with highest ODP; HCFCs are Class
II.
12. A technician recovers refrigerant from a system and discovers it is contaminated with air.
What should be done?
A. Recover into a separate cylinder labeled “contaminated”
B. Vent the non-condensables to atmosphere
C. Mix with new refrigerant to dilute
D. Dispose of the entire mixture in a landfill
Answer: A
Explanation: Contaminated refrigerant must be recovered separately and sent for reclamation;
never vent.
Questions with Answers & Explanations | HVAC Study
Guide
SECTION A: OZONE DEPLETION & ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS (Questions 1–
60)
1. Which of the following refrigerants has the highest ozone depletion potential (ODP)?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-410A
D. R-1234yf
Answer: A
Explanation: R-12 is a CFC with ODP of 1.0; R-134a, R-410A, and R-1234yf have zero ODP.
2. The Montreal Protocol, as amended, requires a phase-out of HCFC refrigerants by which year
in developed countries?
A. 2020
B. 2010
C. 2030
D. 2025
Answer: A
Explanation: HCFC production phase-out in developed countries was completed by 2020;
servicing allowed with recycled stock.
3. A technician finds a leak in a refrigeration system containing R-22. Under EPA regulations,
what is the maximum allowable annual leak rate for a commercial refrigeration system with a
50-pound charge before mandatory repair is required?
A. 20%
,B. 15%
C. 30%
D. 10%
Answer: A
Explanation: For commercial refrigeration (R-22), the leak rate threshold is 20% per year;
industrial process refrigeration is 30%.
4. Which of the following statements about stratospheric ozone is true?
A. Ozone depletion allows more UV-B radiation to reach Earth
B. Ozone is primarily destroyed by carbon dioxide
C. The ozone layer is located in the troposphere
D. Ozone depletion increases plant growth
Answer: A
Explanation: Ozone depletion increases UV-B exposure, causing skin cancer, cataracts, and
ecosystem damage.
5. A technician recovers R-410A from a system. The recovered refrigerant can be:
A. Recycled and returned to the same owner
B. Vented to the atmosphere if the system is being retired
C. Sold to another technician without verification
D. Mixed with R-22 to improve efficiency
Answer: A
Explanation: Recovered refrigerant may be recycled for reuse by the same owner; mixing is
illegal and dangerous.
6. Which of the following is an ozone-depleting substance (ODS) that is still allowed for use in
new equipment in the United States as of 2026?
A. None; all ODS production has been phased out except for service
B. R-22
C. R-123
,D. R-11
Answer: A
Explanation: Production of all CFCs and HCFCs for new equipment is phased out; only recycled
or stockpiled refrigerants may be used for servicing.
7. What is the primary function of the Clean Air Act (CAA) regarding refrigerants?
A. Prohibit venting of CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants
B. Allow venting of HFCs because they have zero ODP
C. Only regulate refrigerants used in automotive AC
D. Mandate recovery only for systems over 50 pounds
Answer: A
Explanation: The CAA prohibits venting of all refrigerants (CFC, HCFC, HFC) and requires
recovery.
8. A technician is working on a small appliance (5 lbs of R-134a). What is the required
evacuation level before disposing of the appliance?
A. 0 inches of mercury (vacuum)
B. 4 inches of mercury vacuum
C. 10 inches of mercury vacuum
D. 15 inches of mercury vacuum
Answer: A
Explanation: For small appliances, recovery to 0 psig (atmospheric pressure) or 4 inches of
vacuum using a recovery device is required.
9. Which refrigerant has the lowest global warming potential (GWP) among these options?
A. R-1234yf
B. R-134a
C. R-404A
D. R-410A
Answer: A
, Explanation: R-1234yf has GWP of 4; R-134a GWP 1430; R-404A GWP 3922; R-410A GWP
2088.
10. Under EPA Section 608, what is the maximum fine for venting refrigerant?
A. $44,539 per day per violation
B. $5,000 per occurrence
C. $10,000 per violation
D. $1,000 per pound vented
Answer: A
Explanation: EPA can impose civil penalties up to $44,539 per day per violation (adjusted
annually).
11. Which of the following is a Class I substance under the Clean Air Act?
A. R-11 (CFC-11)
B. R-123
C. R-22
D. R-124
Answer: A
Explanation: Class I substances include CFCs (R-11, R-12) with highest ODP; HCFCs are Class
II.
12. A technician recovers refrigerant from a system and discovers it is contaminated with air.
What should be done?
A. Recover into a separate cylinder labeled “contaminated”
B. Vent the non-condensables to atmosphere
C. Mix with new refrigerant to dilute
D. Dispose of the entire mixture in a landfill
Answer: A
Explanation: Contaminated refrigerant must be recovered separately and sent for reclamation;
never vent.
