EPA 609 Refrigerant Types & Properties 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What class of refrigerant is R-12 (Freon)?
- HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon)
- HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon)
- CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon) (Correct answer)
- HFO (Hydrofluoroolefin)
Correct answer: CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)
R-12 is a CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), which contains chlorine atoms responsible for its high ozone depletion potential.
Question 2: What class of refrigerant is R-134a?
- CFC
- HCFC
- HFC (Correct answer)
- HFO
Correct answer: HFC
R-134a is an HFC (hydrofluorocarbon), which contains no chlorine and therefore has zero ozone depletion potential.
Question 3: What is the boiling point of R-134a at atmospheric pressure?
- -26.3°F (-32.4°C) (Correct answer)
- 32°F (0°C)
- 14°F (-10°C)
- -40°F (-40°C)
Correct answer: -26.3°F (-32.4°C)
R-134a boils at approximately -26.3°F (-32.4°C) at atmospheric pressure, which allows it to absorb heat efficiently in the evaporator.
Question 4: Which refrigerant is considered a 'blend' and is NOT approved for MVAC retrofit use by the EPA?
- R-134a
- R-1234yf
- R-22
- R-401A (MP39) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: R-401A (MP39)
Refrigerant blends like R-401A are not approved by the EPA's SNAP program for MVAC retrofit and can cause system damage and safety hazards.
Question 5: What does a refrigerant's GWP (Global Warming Potential) measure?
- How much the refrigerant depletes the ozone layer
- How much heat the refrigerant traps in the atmosphere compared to CO2 (Correct answer)
- The refrigerant's pressure at room temperature
- The refrigerant's toxicity to humans
Correct answer: How much heat the refrigerant traps in the atmosphere compared to CO2
GWP measures how much heat a greenhouse gas traps over 100 years relative to carbon dioxide, which has a GWP of 1.
Question 6: R-134a has a GWP of approximately:
- 4
- 130
- 1,430 (Correct answer)
- 11,700
Correct answer: 1,430
R-134a has a GWP of approximately 1,430, meaning it traps 1,430 times more heat than CO2 over 100 years.
EPA 609 Refrigerant Types & Properties 1
What class of refrigerant is R-12 (Freon)?