7.1 What Are Small Appliances?
Key Takeaways
- Small appliances are factory-sealed with 5 lbs or less of refrigerant
- Examples: household refrigerators/freezers, window AC, dehumidifiers, vending machines
- Split systems and field-assembled systems are NOT small appliances (even if under 5 lbs)
- Always identify the refrigerant before recovery — pre-1950 appliances may contain non-fluorocarbon refrigerants
- R-600a (isobutane, A3/flammable) is increasingly used in modern household refrigerators
7.1 What Are Small Appliances?
Type I certification covers small appliances — a specific category of equipment defined by EPA regulations. This section covers the definition, examples, and unique requirements for servicing these systems.
EPA Definition of a Small Appliance
A small appliance is a product that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with 5 pounds (2.27 kg) or less of refrigerant. The key characteristics are:
- Factory-sealed: The system is sealed at the factory with no field-serviceable connections
- Hermetically sealed compressor: The motor and compressor are enclosed in a single welded housing
- 5 lbs or less: The total refrigerant charge does not exceed 5 pounds
- No service valves or process tubes designed for field charging (though they may have process tubes that were used during manufacturing)
Examples of Small Appliances
| Appliance | Typical Refrigerant | Typical Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Household refrigerators | R-134a, R-600a | 3-8 oz |
| Household freezers (chest and upright) | R-134a, R-600a | 3-8 oz |
| Window air conditioners | R-410A, R-32 | 1-3 lbs |
| Portable air conditioners | R-410A, R-32 | 1-2 lbs |
| Dehumidifiers | R-410A, R-134a | 8 oz - 2 lbs |
| Under-counter ice makers | R-134a, R-404A | 4-12 oz |
| Water coolers (drinking fountains) | R-134a | 2-6 oz |
| Vending machines | R-134a, R-290 | 6-16 oz |
| Reach-in coolers (small commercial) | R-134a, R-404A | Up to 5 lbs |
| PTAC units (packaged terminal AC) | R-410A | 2-4 lbs |
What is NOT a Small Appliance
The following are NOT small appliances even if they contain less than 5 lbs:
- Split systems (indoor and outdoor units connected by field-installed refrigerant lines)
- Central air conditioning systems
- Any system with field-serviceable connections designed for charging
- Motor vehicle air conditioning (covered under Section 609)
- Appliances assembled in the field (even if containing less than 5 lbs)
Older Refrigerants in Small Appliances
When servicing older small appliances, technicians may encounter unusual refrigerants:
- R-12: Common in refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1994
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2): Found in very old refrigerators (pre-1950)
- Methyl formate: Another pre-1950 refrigerant
- Ammonia (R-717): Used in some old absorption-type refrigerators
For the Exam: These older refrigerants are important because: (1) SO2 and methyl formate cannot be recovered with standard recovery equipment, and (2) you should ALWAYS identify the refrigerant before recovery. If an old appliance contains a non-fluorocarbon refrigerant, standard recovery equipment should NOT be used.
The Rise of R-600a (Isobutane)
Many modern household refrigerators and freezers use R-600a (isobutane) — a natural refrigerant:
- ASHRAE Safety: A3 (lower toxicity, highly flammable)
- GWP: 3 (extremely low)
- ODP: 0
- Typical charge: 2-5 oz (very small amount)
- Requires special precautions due to flammability, but the tiny charge minimizes risk
- Widely used in European and Asian markets; increasingly common in the U.S.
What is the maximum refrigerant charge for an appliance to be classified as a "small appliance" under EPA regulations?
Which of the following is NOT classified as a small appliance?
If a technician discovers an old refrigerator (pre-1950) may contain sulfur dioxide, what should they do?