HVAC EPA 608 CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026/2027 | 100%
Correct Answers with Complete Solutions | Universal
Technician License Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Core: General Knowledge (30 Questions)
Q1: A technician is recovering refrigerant from a commercial air conditioning system
using a recovery machine. The system contains R-410A. According to EPA Section 608
regulations, what is the minimum evacuation level required for this high-pressure
system when it is operating during recovery?
A. 4 inches of mercury vacuum
B. 10 inches of mercury vacuum [CORRECT]
C. 15 inches of mercury vacuum
D. 25 inches of mercury vacuum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPA Section 608 regulations specify different recovery levels based on
system type and operating status. For high-pressure appliances (including R-410A
systems), the required evacuation level is 10 inches of mercury vacuum when the
compressor is operating, and 0 psig when the compressor is not operating.
● Option A (4 inches Hg) is the requirement for Type I small appliances, not
high-pressure systems.
● Option C (15 inches Hg) exceeds the minimum requirement and represents
unnecessary evacuation that wastes time without regulatory benefit.
● Option D (25 inches Hg) is the requirement for Type III low-pressure appliances,
not high-pressure systems.
,The technician must verify the compressor is operational during recovery to achieve the
10 inches Hg vacuum level, which ensures adequate refrigerant removal while
preventing air and moisture ingress.
Q2: A recovery cylinder used for transporting recovered refrigerant must meet specific
DOT requirements. Which color coding and marking combination correctly identifies a
properly certified recovery cylinder?
A. Yellow body with gray top, marked "REFRIGERANT"
B. Gray body with yellow top, marked "REFRIGERANT RECOVERY" [CORRECT]
C. Orange body with green top, marked "FLAMMABLE GAS"
D. Blue body with white top, marked "NON-FLAMMABLE"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DOT regulations (49 CFR) and EPA Section 608 require recovery cylinders to
be gray with yellow tops and clearly marked "REFRIGERANT RECOVERY" or similar
language indicating recovered refrigerant content. This color coding distinguishes them
from new refrigerant containers (usually light blue or green depending on refrigerant
type).
● Option A reverses the color scheme; yellow body with gray top is not standard.
● Option C describes flammable gas cylinders (typically red or orange),
inappropriate for most refrigerants.
● Option D describes medical gas or specific industrial gas cylinders, not
refrigerant recovery containers.
Additionally, recovery cylinders must have a current hydrostatic test date (tested within
5 years) and be rated for the specific refrigerant's pressure.
,Q3: Under the Montreal Protocol and Clean Air Act Section 608, which refrigerant has
been completely phased out of production and import in the United States as of
January 1, 2020?
A. R-134a (HFC-134a)
B. R-410A (HFC-410A)
C. R-22 (HCFC-22) [CORRECT]
D. R-32 (HFC-32)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: R-22 (HCFC-22), a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, was fully phased out of
production and import in the United States on January 1, 2020, per the Montreal
Protocol and Clean Air Act amendments. While existing stocks and recovered R-22 can
still be used, no new production or import is permitted.
● Option A (R-134a) is an HFC with no chlorine, zero ODP, and remains in
production, though it is subject to phase-down under the AIM Act (American
Innovation and Manufacturing Act) for high-GWP HFCs.
● Option B (R-410A) is an HFC blend also subject to AIM Act phase-down but not
complete production ban as of 2026.
● Option D (R-32) is a lower-GWP HFC increasingly used as R-410A replacement,
with no production ban.
The AIM Act mandates 85% reduction in HFC production by 2036, using a baseline of
2011-2013 levels, but this is a gradual phase-down, not immediate ban like R-22.
Q4: A technician measures system pressures and finds low side at 15 psig and high
side at 450 psig on an R-410A system. The ambient temperature is 95°F. What do these
readings indicate?
A. Normal operating pressures for R-410A
B. Possible overcharge or condenser airflow restriction [CORRECT]
C. Undercharge with low refrigerant
, D. Normal for R-22 system conversion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For R-410A at 95°F ambient, typical pressures are approximately 125-150
psig suction and 350-400 psig discharge. The readings of 15 psig suction and 450 psig
discharge indicate:
● Low suction pressure: Possible restriction, undercharge, or compressor issue
● High discharge pressure: Overcharge, non-condensables, or condenser problem
The high head pressure relative to ambient strongly suggests overcharge or condenser
airflow restriction (dirty coils, failed fan, or poor ventilation).
● Option A is incorrect; these pressures are abnormal.
● Option C is partially correct about low suction but doesn't explain the high
discharge pressure.
● Option D is irrelevant; R-410A operates at significantly higher pressures than R-22
and systems are not "converted" between refrigerants without extensive
modifications.
Q5: According to EPA Section 608, what is the maximum allowable leak rate threshold
for comfort cooling appliances (air conditioning) that triggers repair requirements?
A. 10% of charge per year
B. 15% of charge per year
C. 20% of charge per year
D. 30% of charge per year [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: EPA Section 608 leak repair requirements specify different thresholds:
● Comfort cooling: 30% of charge per year
● Commercial refrigeration: 20% of charge per year
Correct Answers with Complete Solutions | Universal
Technician License Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Core: General Knowledge (30 Questions)
Q1: A technician is recovering refrigerant from a commercial air conditioning system
using a recovery machine. The system contains R-410A. According to EPA Section 608
regulations, what is the minimum evacuation level required for this high-pressure
system when it is operating during recovery?
A. 4 inches of mercury vacuum
B. 10 inches of mercury vacuum [CORRECT]
C. 15 inches of mercury vacuum
D. 25 inches of mercury vacuum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPA Section 608 regulations specify different recovery levels based on
system type and operating status. For high-pressure appliances (including R-410A
systems), the required evacuation level is 10 inches of mercury vacuum when the
compressor is operating, and 0 psig when the compressor is not operating.
● Option A (4 inches Hg) is the requirement for Type I small appliances, not
high-pressure systems.
● Option C (15 inches Hg) exceeds the minimum requirement and represents
unnecessary evacuation that wastes time without regulatory benefit.
● Option D (25 inches Hg) is the requirement for Type III low-pressure appliances,
not high-pressure systems.
,The technician must verify the compressor is operational during recovery to achieve the
10 inches Hg vacuum level, which ensures adequate refrigerant removal while
preventing air and moisture ingress.
Q2: A recovery cylinder used for transporting recovered refrigerant must meet specific
DOT requirements. Which color coding and marking combination correctly identifies a
properly certified recovery cylinder?
A. Yellow body with gray top, marked "REFRIGERANT"
B. Gray body with yellow top, marked "REFRIGERANT RECOVERY" [CORRECT]
C. Orange body with green top, marked "FLAMMABLE GAS"
D. Blue body with white top, marked "NON-FLAMMABLE"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DOT regulations (49 CFR) and EPA Section 608 require recovery cylinders to
be gray with yellow tops and clearly marked "REFRIGERANT RECOVERY" or similar
language indicating recovered refrigerant content. This color coding distinguishes them
from new refrigerant containers (usually light blue or green depending on refrigerant
type).
● Option A reverses the color scheme; yellow body with gray top is not standard.
● Option C describes flammable gas cylinders (typically red or orange),
inappropriate for most refrigerants.
● Option D describes medical gas or specific industrial gas cylinders, not
refrigerant recovery containers.
Additionally, recovery cylinders must have a current hydrostatic test date (tested within
5 years) and be rated for the specific refrigerant's pressure.
,Q3: Under the Montreal Protocol and Clean Air Act Section 608, which refrigerant has
been completely phased out of production and import in the United States as of
January 1, 2020?
A. R-134a (HFC-134a)
B. R-410A (HFC-410A)
C. R-22 (HCFC-22) [CORRECT]
D. R-32 (HFC-32)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: R-22 (HCFC-22), a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, was fully phased out of
production and import in the United States on January 1, 2020, per the Montreal
Protocol and Clean Air Act amendments. While existing stocks and recovered R-22 can
still be used, no new production or import is permitted.
● Option A (R-134a) is an HFC with no chlorine, zero ODP, and remains in
production, though it is subject to phase-down under the AIM Act (American
Innovation and Manufacturing Act) for high-GWP HFCs.
● Option B (R-410A) is an HFC blend also subject to AIM Act phase-down but not
complete production ban as of 2026.
● Option D (R-32) is a lower-GWP HFC increasingly used as R-410A replacement,
with no production ban.
The AIM Act mandates 85% reduction in HFC production by 2036, using a baseline of
2011-2013 levels, but this is a gradual phase-down, not immediate ban like R-22.
Q4: A technician measures system pressures and finds low side at 15 psig and high
side at 450 psig on an R-410A system. The ambient temperature is 95°F. What do these
readings indicate?
A. Normal operating pressures for R-410A
B. Possible overcharge or condenser airflow restriction [CORRECT]
C. Undercharge with low refrigerant
, D. Normal for R-22 system conversion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For R-410A at 95°F ambient, typical pressures are approximately 125-150
psig suction and 350-400 psig discharge. The readings of 15 psig suction and 450 psig
discharge indicate:
● Low suction pressure: Possible restriction, undercharge, or compressor issue
● High discharge pressure: Overcharge, non-condensables, or condenser problem
The high head pressure relative to ambient strongly suggests overcharge or condenser
airflow restriction (dirty coils, failed fan, or poor ventilation).
● Option A is incorrect; these pressures are abnormal.
● Option C is partially correct about low suction but doesn't explain the high
discharge pressure.
● Option D is irrelevant; R-410A operates at significantly higher pressures than R-22
and systems are not "converted" between refrigerants without extensive
modifications.
Q5: According to EPA Section 608, what is the maximum allowable leak rate threshold
for comfort cooling appliances (air conditioning) that triggers repair requirements?
A. 10% of charge per year
B. 15% of charge per year
C. 20% of charge per year
D. 30% of charge per year [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: EPA Section 608 leak repair requirements specify different thresholds:
● Comfort cooling: 30% of charge per year
● Commercial refrigeration: 20% of charge per year
