2 Type I: Small Appliances
Learn how Type I small appliances are defined, how to recover their refrigerant under different equipment and compressor conditions, and what service and safety procedures apply.
What qualifies as a
A is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed at the factory, and contains pounds or less of refrigerant. Type I certification covers servicing these appliances.
Examples include household refrigerators and freezers, window or portable air conditioners, dehumidifiers, vending machines, and drinking-water coolers.
Recovery equipment and required endpoints
Before opening a for service, recover its refrigerant using the applicable method. removes refrigerant without relying on the appliance’s components. relies on appliance components, such as a working compressor, to move refrigerant; passive recovery methods are included in Type I topics.
The required recovery endpoint depends on the recovery equipment’s manufacture date and whether the appliance compressor works:
Equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993: recover , regardless of compressor condition.
Equipment manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, with a functional compressor: recover .
Equipment manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, with a nonfunctional compressor: recover .
Alternatively, evacuate the appliance to a vacuum.
Follow the recovery equipment manufacturer’s instructions. The -inch-Hg-vacuum alternative is not a percentage of refrigerant recovered.
Appliance-specific recovery procedures
Small appliances often lack permanent service valves. A technician may attach a to the process tubing to connect recovery equipment. Remove solderless access fittings at the end of service, restore the sealed system appropriately, and check for leaks.
With a functional compressor, operate it when using system-dependent recovery so it helps move refrigerant through the circuit and toward the recovery connection.
With an inoperative compressor, passive recovery cannot rely on the appliance compressor. When using a system-dependent device, access both the high and low sides. Other recovery methods to know include controlled warming and sharply tapping the compressor, as well as using a vacuum pump with a non-pressurized recovery container. Use appropriate equipment and safe procedures; never use an open flame to heat an appliance.
Refrigerant identification and safety
Pressure and temperature readings can help identify a refrigerant and detect possible . Compare the readings with the correct pressure–temperature information. is a likely substitute to recognize for older R-12 applications.
Avoid exposing refrigerants to high temperatures: decomposition can produce hazardous substances.