Skills Hub

safety-handling

Refrigerant Identification

Always tested on the EPA 608

Identify unknown refrigerants before service or recharge.

About this skill

Refrigerant identification using cylinder labels, equipment nameplates, AHRI color coding, and refrigerant analyzers. Required for any service on equipment with unknown refrigerant history.

8 total steps
6 critical steps
Time limit: 10 min

What graders are watching for

  • 1
    ASHRAE numbering system: R-12, R-22, R-410A, R-1234yf
  • 2
    Use a refrigerant analyzer for unknown refrigerants
  • 3
    HFC refrigerants require POE oil (not mineral oil)

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

  • !
    Mixing refrigerants (federal violation)
  • !
    Assuming the refrigerant without checking the nameplate
  • !
    Using the wrong oil type (mineral oil in HFC system)

Practice this skill step-by-step

The static walkthrough above is the marketing overview. The full step-by-step interactive practice (with critical-step highlighting, per-step "why this matters" rationale, and what graders watch for on each individual step) is unlocked with a subscription.

View pricingTry 10 practice questions

Related safety handling skills

Personal Protective Equipment for Refrigerant Work
Wear the correct PPE for refrigerant work and confined spaces.
Refrigerant Cylinder Handling and Transport
Handle and transport refrigerant cylinders safely.