What defines a small appliance in terms of refrigerant capacity?

A small appliance is specifically defined in terms of refrigerant capacity as one that contains five pounds or less of refrigerant. This definition is crucial because it establishes regulatory guidelines under the EPA for the handling and recovery of refrigerants. Small appliances include equipment such as household refrigerators, window air conditioning units, and certain types of vending machines.

The distinction made by the five-pound limit is important in terms of maintenance, service requirements, and technician certification. It means that appliances below this capacity have different regulatory requirements compared to larger systems.

Understanding this specific capacity helps technicians to identify the classification of the appliances they are servicing or dealing with, ensuring compliance with applicable environmental regulations.