Free EPA 609 Exam Flashcards

A substance's relative ability to destroy stratospheric ozone. CFC-12 has an ODP of 1.0, the reference value used for comparing ozone-depleting refrigerants.

How much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere relative to CO2 over a set time horizon. It is a separate measurement from ODP — a refrigerant can have zero ODP but a very high GWP.

1.0 — CFC-12 is ozone-depleting, which is why its production was phased out under the Montreal Protocol even though refrigerant already in service can still be recovered and reused.

1,430 — far higher than CO2's baseline of 1. This high GWP is why R-134a is being phased down under the AIM Act despite having zero ODP.

4 — dramatically lower than R-134a's 1,430. This low GWP is the reason EPA and automakers mandated R-1234yf for MY2025+ vehicles.

The Montreal Protocol (1987) — implemented domestically through Clean Air Act Title VI, which governs Sections 608 and 609.

The AIM Act (American Innovation and Manufacturing Act) — distinct from the Montreal Protocol, it targets HFC refrigerants specifically because of their global warming impact rather than ozone depletion.

Servicing or repairing ANY motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) system for compensation (payment or bartering) — the requirement applies regardless of which refrigerant the vehicle uses.

No. It applies to every refrigerant used in MVAC systems — R-12, R-134a, R-1234yf, R-744 (CO2), and any other SNAP-approved alternative. One certification covers all of them.

It bans the intentional release of refrigerant into the atmosphere during MVAC maintenance, service, or disposal — this applies to every refrigerant type, not just ozone-depleting ones.

It excuses small, unavoidable refrigerant losses that occur during a good-faith attempt to connect or disconnect hoses. It does NOT excuse skipping recovery or intentionally releasing refrigerant.

Only to buyers who hold EPA Section 609 certification. Sellers must verify the purchaser's certification and keep sales records.

Cans containing less than 2 lbs of R-134a with a self-sealing valve can be sold to the general public for DIY automotive use without Section 609 certification.

A minimum of 3 years.

A one-time certification listing its servicing equipment and confirming that personnel are properly trained and certified before servicing any MVAC systems.

Civil penalties of up to tens of thousands of dollars per day per violation under Clean Air Act Section 113 — EPA's inflation-adjusted guidance has cited figures around $44,539/day in recent years, and both the technician and shop owner can be held liable.

Section 608 governs stationary refrigeration and air conditioning (residential, commercial, industrial) with a closed-book exam and four types (I, II, III, Universal). Section 609 is a single open-book exam covering only motor vehicle A/C systems.

R-12 (CFC-12) — labeled white. It has an ODP of 1.0 and is ozone-depleting.

R-134a (HFC-134a) — labeled sky/light blue. It has zero ODP but a high GWP of 1,430.

R-1234yf (HFO-1234yf) — mandated because its GWP of only 4 is dramatically lower than R-134a's 1,430, supporting EPA and AIM Act low-GWP goals.

R-744 (CO2) — GWP of 1 (the reference baseline). It is exempt from the Section 608 venting ban, but a technician servicing it for compensation still needs Section 609 certification.

No. R-1234yf has no mandated label color; its labeling and fittings instead follow the SAE J639 standard.

They must be SNAP-approved (EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy program). Using a non-SNAP-approved substitute is never legal, regardless of its properties.

R-134a is class A1 (nonflammable). R-1234yf is class A2L (lower toxicity, mildly flammable) — a key safety distinction between the two refrigerants.

Removing refrigerant from the system and storing it in a cylinder. There is no purity requirement for recovery, and it is always the first step before any repair work.

Cleaning refrigerant on-site (removing moisture and contaminants) for reuse in the same vehicle or by the same owner. No purity standard applies, so recycled refrigerant cannot legally be resold to others.

Restoring used refrigerant to new-product purity per AHRI Standard 700, performed only at an EPA-certified reclamation facility. Reclaimed refrigerant can be resold to any owner.

Recover it only — never attempt to recycle contaminated or unidentified refrigerant on-site. Send it to a certified reclaimer instead.

A refrigerant identifier, to confirm the refrigerant's type and purity before connecting recovery equipment — this prevents cross-contaminating the recovery machine.

80% by weight, per AHRI Guideline K — leaving headspace for thermal expansion and preventing dangerous overpressure.

SAE J2788.

SAE J2843.

SAE J3030.

95% minimum recovery efficiency, and reclaimed R-1234yf must meet at least 98% purity.

To physically prevent cross-contamination between refrigerant types. Fittings and adapters cannot be swapped between different refrigerants under any circumstance.

A 17 mm OD quick-connect coupler.

A 14 mm OD quick-connect coupler.

A refrigerant identifier — running this check first prevents contaminating shop equipment or mixing incompatible refrigerants.

UV dye (adds a visible trace seen under UV light) and an electronic refrigerant sniffer/leak detector.

Repair the leak first. Topping off a leaking system without fixing the leak is not a compliant servicing practice and wastes refrigerant.

The depth of vacuum (in microns) — confirming enough air and moisture have been removed from the system before recharging with refrigerant.

To remove residual air and moisture, which otherwise cause corrosion, ice blockages in the expansion device, and reduced cooling performance.

Recover the refrigerant — this must happen before any repair, evacuation, or recharging work begins.

Yes — technicians must use servicing equipment certified by EPA or an independent standards-testing organization to the applicable SAE standard (e.g., J2788, J2843, or J3030).

Safety goggles or other eye protection, worn any time refrigerant lines are opened or connected.

Frostbite, not a thermal burn — rapid evaporative cooling causes intense cold injury. Flush the area and treat it as a cold-exposure injury, not a heat burn.

Refrigerant vapor can displace oxygen in a confined space, creating an asphyxiation hazard if the area is not ventilated before and during service.

R-1234yf is ASHRAE class A2L (mildly flammable), so ignition sources must be kept away during handling — R-134a (class A1) carries no such flammability risk.

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for that substance — it lists hazards, required PPE, and emergency response steps.

Never. Mixing refrigerants creates fire or pressure hazards and destroys the batch's ability to be recycled or reclaimed — this is why unique fittings exist in the first place.