Refer a friend: they may get $10 off Pro, and you may get $10 back on eligible referrals. Get your code Referral Terms
Property & Building Inspection

Heating practice questions

10 original sample questions on heating. Pick an answer, then open the explanation. Review the heating study notes first if you like.

1. A boiler heats the home by:

  1. Circulating hot water or steam
  2. Blowing heated air through ducts
  3. Using refrigerant only
  4. Burning wood only
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Circulating hot water or steam

Boilers use water or steam.

2. A 90%+ efficiency furnace's condensate line is disconnected and water is pooling on the basement floor. The report should state:

  1. Condensate line disconnected; water on floor; repair
  2. Pooling water is normal for every efficient gas furnace in use
  3. The furnace is mid-efficiency and drains through the chimney
  4. The furnace is leaking refrigerant and needs recharging soon
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Condensate line disconnected; water on floor; repair

Condensing furnaces produce water that must drain properly.

3. A boiler operating with a pressure gauge reading at or above the relief valve setting suggests:

  1. Low water level
  2. A pressure control problem
  3. Proper expansion tank function
  4. Normal operation
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. A pressure control problem

Pressure near relief settings shows the system is overpressurized. Refer for service.

4. A cracked heat exchanger in a furnace can allow:

  1. Cleaner, filtered supply air
  2. More heat to the rooms
  3. Combustion gases into the air stream
  4. Lower fuel bills over the winter
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Combustion gases into the air stream

Cracks can leak CO. Refer for evaluation.

5. A furnace blower compartment door safety switch is designed to:

  1. Shut off the blower when the door is removed
  2. Test the thermostat
  3. Increase blower speed
  4. Bypass the limit switch
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Shut off the blower when the door is removed

The switch prevents operation with the cover off, protecting people from moving parts and fumes.

6. A forced-air furnace delivers heat to rooms through:

  1. Radiant floor tubing only
  2. Radiators and pipes
  3. Baseboard water loops
  4. Ducts and registers
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Ducts and registers

Forced-air systems use a blower and ducts.

7. A furnace with an open combustion chamber in a sleeping room is:

  1. Generally not allowed
  2. Preferred for small homes
  3. Normal and not worth reporting
  4. Required for warmth
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Generally not allowed

Sleeping room restrictions apply.

8. A furnace filter installed backward against the airflow arrows should be:

  1. Ignored if clean
  2. Removed for airflow
  3. Considered normal
  4. Reported for correction
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Reported for correction

Filters work best oriented correctly.

9. A furnace's flue gases exit through a masonry chimney without a liner, and the chimney base has a wet, white-stained clean-out. This suggests:

  1. Normal operation of a masonry flue
  2. Too much draft through the chimney
  3. A proper liner already in place
  4. Condensation in an unlined chimney
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Condensation in an unlined chimney

Lower flue temperatures cause condensation in unlined masonry.

10. A furnace needs service when:

  1. Always every month
  2. It shows defects or overdue maintenance
  3. Only when broken
  4. Never, under any circumstances
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. It shows defects or overdue maintenance

The correct answer is “It shows defects or overdue maintenance.” Report needs.

Original practice items for study only, not actual exam questions. Content may contain errors.