Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MVAC Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct answer is HFCs, which stands for hydrofluorocarbons. This category of refrigerants was developed as a replacement for older refrigerants known to deplete the ozone layer. HFCs have minimal to zero ozone depletion potential because they do not contain chlorine or bromine atoms, which are responsible for breaking down ozone in the stratosphere.

HCFCs, or hydrochlorofluorocarbons, still contain some chlorine and, therefore, have a lower but still significant ozone depletion potential compared to HFCs. CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, and halons are known for their high ozone depletion potential and are largely phased out due to their harmful environmental effects. Thus, HFCs represent a more environmentally friendly choice among refrigerants specifically concerning ozone layer protection.