Which repair is always classified as "major" according to EPA regulations?

Replacing the evaporator coil is classified as a "major" repair according to EPA regulations. This classification is due to the significant impact such repairs have on the overall refrigeration system and the refrigerants involved.

The evaporator coil plays a critical role in the heat exchange process of the system, and its replacement often requires extensive work and careful handling of refrigerants. Major repairs, as defined by the EPA, are those that involve substantial components of the refrigerant system, which includes the evaporator coil—given its essential function and the potential risks associated with handling refrigerants during the process.

While other repairs like replacing the compressor and fixing a refrigerant leak may also be significant, the specific categorization of replacements, particularly those that involve a major component of the system like the evaporator coil, fits the EPA's definition of a major repair more directly than the others listed. Recharging the refrigerant, on the other hand, is considered routine maintenance rather than a major repair because it does not involve the replacement of a significant component.