According to the EPA, what qualifies as a small appliance?

A small appliance is classified by the EPA as one that has a refrigerant charge of 5 pounds or less. This definition is important in the context of the regulations and guidelines provided for the handling and servicing of appliances that contain refrigerants. Such small appliances are usually found in residential settings and include items like refrigerators, window air conditioners, and portable water coolers.

Understanding this classification is crucial for compliance with environmental regulations that pertain to refrigerant leakage, recovery, and disposal practices. When technicians refer to small appliances, they've identified that these devices generally require less extensive handling compared to larger commercial refrigeration systems, which typically have higher refrigerant charges.

This definition distinguishes small appliances from larger units that may fall under different regulatory categories, where the rules regarding servicing and refrigerant management are more comprehensive.