Which refrigerant is exempt from the EPA's recovery mandate?

Which refrigerant is exempt from the EPA's recovery mandate?

• A. R-22
• B. R-134a
• C. R-290
• D. R-404A

Answer: (C)

Refrigerant recovery rules are all about preventing the release of regulated refrigerants during servicing and disposal. Most common refrigerants used in typical HVAC equipment—like R-22, R-134a, and R-404A—are regulated under the EPA’s recovery requirements, so technicians must recover them when servicing or disposing of equipment. Propane, known as R-290, is a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant and is not covered by the EPA’s 608 recovery mandate. Because of this regulatory distinction, it’s considered exempt from that specific recovery requirement. Safety considerations for hydrocarbons are handled through different standards and practices, since R-290 is flammable and requires equipment and handling procedures rated for hydrocarbon refrigerants. So, among the options, R-290 is the one exempt from the EPA’s recovery mandate. The other refrigerants listed are subject to recovery requirements during servicing.

Refrigerant recovery rules are all about preventing the release of regulated refrigerants during servicing and disposal. Most common refrigerants used in typical HVAC equipment—like R-22, R-134a, and R-404A—are regulated under the EPA’s recovery requirements, so technicians must recover them when servicing or disposing of equipment.

Propane, known as R-290, is a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant and is not covered by the EPA’s 608 recovery mandate. Because of this regulatory distinction, it’s considered exempt from that specific recovery requirement. Safety considerations for hydrocarbons are handled through different standards and practices, since R-290 is flammable and requires equipment and handling procedures rated for hydrocarbon refrigerants.

So, among the options, R-290 is the one exempt from the EPA’s recovery mandate. The other refrigerants listed are subject to recovery requirements during servicing.