Home Inspector

Heat can move from one body to another by ________.

A. Radiation

B. Capacitation

C. Ionization

Forced-air furnaces function primarily by _____.

A. Radiation

B. Conduction

C. Convection

T/F: You may be able to describe a heating system by its heat-conveying medium.

A. True

B. False

T/F: Steam is considered a heat-conveying medium.

A. True

B. False

Most heating systems can be categorized in _____ ways.

A: two

B. four

C. six

T/F: “Hydronic” describes a type of heating system.

A. True

B. False

Burning natural gas with oxygen yields carbon dioxide, water vapor and _____.

A. Heat

B. Refrigerant

C. Cooling

T/F: A natural draft unit has a fan.

A. True

B. False

There are two broad categories to describe furnace heating systems: gravity warm-air furnaces; and _____ warm-air furnaces.

A. Natural

B. Forced

C. Convective

There are two broad categories to describe furnace heating systems: gravity warm-air furnaces; and _____ warm-air furnaces.

A. Natural

B. Forced

C. Convective

A(n) _____ furnace is also referred to as a counter-flow furnace or down-draft furnace.

A. Upflow

B. Downflow

C. Horizontal

If you are inspecting a _____ duct system, you should find a large rectangular duct that comes directly out of the heating system and runs in a straight line down the center of the basement, attic or ceiling.

A. Perimeter

B. Plenum

C. Loop

If you are inspecting a _____ duct system, you should find a large rectangular duct that comes directly out of the heating system and runs in a straight line down the center of the basement, attic or ceiling.

A. Perimeter

B. Plenum

C. Loop

T/F: Round or square supply ducts that are connected to and branch off the extended duct are called side takeoffs.

A. True

B. False

T/F: Grilles are typically formed in concentric cones or pyramids.

A. True

B. False

A _____ is approximately the amount of energy needed to heat 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

A. BTU

B. Gas-foot-pound

C. Steady-stare

The older gas furnaces have a(n) _____ pilot light that is always burning.

A. Intermittent

B. Standing

C. Direct-spark

_____ air is air that mixes with the gas before going to the burners.

A. Crossover

B. Secondary

C. Primary

T/F: Air is the heat-conveying medium for hydronic heating systems.

A. True

B. False

T/F: Radiators and baseboard convectors are considered heat-emitting components.

A. True

B. False

T/F: Gas-compression cooling involves the compression and expansion of refrigerant gas and the transfer of heat.

A. True

B. False

T/F: Gas-compression cooling involves the compression and expansion of refrigerant gas and the transfer of heat.

A. True

B. False

The term “wet vent” refers to a:

A. Vent that traps water and therefore stays wet.

B. Vent located above the roof line and exposed to rain.

C. Vent that runs outside an exterior wall.

D. Waste line that also functions as a vent.

In a forced-air furnace, the burners are used to generate heat in the _____.

A. Heat exchanger

B. Draft diverter

C. Flue

D. Plenum

Which of the following is the correct termination where the slopes roof terminated with an EIFS wall?

A. Use polyurethane caulking between the gutter and the wall.

B. Use silicone caulking between the gutter and the wall.

C. Use kick-out flashing into the gutter.

D. Use only step flashing that is overlapped three inches.

Two roof trusses passing above an interior hallway have been cut to install a pull-down attic ladder. There is no cracking or indication of distress in the walls or ceilings. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action?

A. This is not a concern since there is no indication of distress.

B. This is beyond the scope of an inspection and does not need to be reported.

C. The inspector can evaluate the remaining pieces of the trusses as if they were site-built.

D. The inspector should recommend this situation be referred to a structural engineer.

You observe approximately 12 inches of loose fill fiberglass insulation in an attic space. You advise the client that the “R” value is approximately _____.

A. R-11

B. R-13

C. R-19

D. R-30

Which of the following is a safety mandate in a remodeled home where a hydro-massage bathtub has been added?

A. The faucets must be at the drain end.

B. The tub area must have a venting fan.

C. There must be a vacuum breaker.

D. There must be a ground fault circuit interrupter.

What is the minimum electrical service drop clearance for a roadway?

A. 18 feet

B. 12 feet

C. 10 feet

What is the minimum electrical service drop clearance for a driveway?

A. 18 feet

B. 12 feet

C. 10 feet

What is the minimum electrical service drop clearance for a walkway?

A. 18 feet

B. 12 feet

C. 10 feet

What is the minimum electrical service drop clearance for a walkway?

A. 18 feet

B. 12 feet

C. 10 feet

What is the minimum electrical service drop clearance for a deck?

A. 18 feet

B. 12 feet

C. 10 feet

The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is:

A. 7 3/4 inches

B. 9 inches

C. 9 1/2 inches

D. 10 inches

Aluminum branch circuit wiring was commonly used in which years?

A. 1942-1955

B. 1950-1962

C. 1965-1973

D. 1996-2004

T/F: A #12 ga. copper wire can be connected to a 15-amp breaker.

A. True

B. False

T/F: Subpanels should have the neutral bus bar bonded to the panel enclosure.

T/F: A #10 ga. copper wire can be connected to a 20-amp breaker.

A. True

B. False

A green fuse is _____ amps.

A. 30-amps

B. 20-amps

C. 15-amps

A Red fuse is _____ amps.

A. 30-amps

B. 20-amps

C. 15-amps

A Blus fuse is _____ amps.

A. 30-amps

B. 20-amps

C. 15-amps

There are three conductors at the weatherhead. What is the nominal electric service?

A. Single phase 120/120 volts

B. Single phase 120/240 volts

C. Double phase 120/240 volts

The current MINIMUM service requirement for a new single family home is:

A. 100-amps

B. 120-amps

C. 240-amps

Mortar used in brickwork May vary in composition but always contains _____.

A. Cement, sand and water

B. Cement, lime and sand

C. Cement, line and water

Joist bearing on a concrete foundation must be a minimum of _____ inches.

A. 1 1/2 inches

B. 3 inches

C. 6 inches

Which of the following is theMOST secure way to attach exterior deck joists to a ledger (or band joist)?

A. Screws toed-in to ledger

B. Use joist hangers Nailed to both the joist and the ledger.

The purpose of collar ties is to _____.

Which of the following roofing material is the heaviest?

A. Composite shingles

B. Tile shingles

C. Slate shingles

When a cooling unit is located in an attic where damage may result from condensate overflow,

A. Attic ventilation must increased to avoid condensation

B. Steel ducting is not allowed because of potential damage from condensation

C. An auxiliary condensate is required

D. A supplemental condensate pump is required.

If a poured concrete foundation has an unusually large number of vertical cracks, each no wider than 1/32 inch, the cause is likely to be:

A. Differential settlement from adverse drainage conditions

B. Excessive amounts of aggregate in the concrete mix

C. Settlement from compaction of souls below the footings

D. Shrinkage of the concrete from excess water at the time of pouring

Medium efficiency furnaces have a draft inducer fan and are connected directly to the vent system instead of having a draft hood. There are white and yellowish deposits below the draft inducer fan. A possible explanation for these deposits is that:

A. The seal between the draft inducer fan and the furnace is failing.

B. Moisture is condensing in the vent and running back into the draft inducer fan.

C.The draft inducer fan is not working properly.

D. The furnace has failed and is unsafe to operate.

In new construction, the MINIMUM overhead electrical service clearances for a walkway is:

A. 10 feet

B. 18 feet

C. 12 feet

In new construction, the MINIMUM overhead electrical service clearances for a roadway is:

A. 10 feet

B. 18 feet

C. 12 feet

In new construction, the MINIMUM overhead electrical service clearances for a deck is:

A. 10 feet

B. 18 feet

C. 12 feet

During a summertime inspection, what could indicate chronic condensation problems in an attic?

A. The attic is very warm

B. There is no vapor retarder on the insulation

C. There are gray/black stains on the north side of roof sheathing

D. There are mildew stains on the bathroom ceiling.

While inspecting a heat pump in the cooling mode, you measure 28 degree F temperature differential between the interior supply and return air. You should suspect:

A. An exterior fan running too slowly

B. An overheating compressor

C. A dirty filter

D. A thermostat set too low

Where would an equalizer pipe be found?

A. Near a steam boiler

B. Near a hot water boiler

C. In a common gas vent

D. In a Plumbing stack

When looking at the exterior wall of a sixty year old brick masonry house with a gable, you notice a horizontal crack in the mortar and outward brick displacement along the gutter edge of the roof. The displacement is greatest at the center of the top three courses of brick. This condition is MOST likely caused by _____.

A. Excessive sand in the mortar mix.

B. Defective brick bonding.

C. Improper ceiling joist installation.

D. Differential settlement.

Where should squash blocks (web blocking) be found in a wood I-joist floor system?

A. at bearing ends and load bearing walls above with support girders below.

B. at bearing ends and all splices.

C. at bearing ends and plumbing penetrations

D. at perimeter ends, plumbing penetrations and all splices

Capillary tunes are part of the:

A. evaporator coil

B. heat exchanger

C. condenser coil

D. compressor discharge

The house you are inspecting currently has a gas-fired furnace or boiler. Each of the following clues may indicate that the house also has an abandoned buried fuel oil storage tank EXCEPT _____.

A. small diameter copper tubes emerging from the inside of the foundation wall or the floor near the furnace or boiler.

B. an approximately 1 1/4 inch diameter vent pipe outside coming from underground up against the foundation.

C. the brick chimney serving the furnace or boiler has deteriorated mortar joints at the bottom.

D. your knowledge that the neighborhood had or still has some house served by oil heat.

What component is involved in controlling when a hot water boiler activates?

A. A humidistat

B. A pressuretrol

C. An aquastat

D. A high limit switch

While inspecting the furnace you detect very high levels of carbon monoxide at the supply registers. You should:

A. Advise that everyone run out of the house for safety.

B. Immediately shut off the main gas valve to disable the unit

C. Open windows, shut down systems, and advise immediate evacuation by an HVAC contractor.

D. Explain that the unit will need servicing in the future to prolong its life.

Nails that penetrate the roof sheathing are rusted. Some areas of roof sheathing present moisture stains and fungal growth. What is theMOST likely cause if these conditions?

A. air leaking from the house into the attic

B. Inadequate attic insulation

C. absence of a Class II vapor retarder

D. water leaking around the nails

A fiberglass shingle roof covering is inspected during the summer. What is the LEAST likely indication that the shingles are near the end of their service life?

A. a roof leak

B. Granule loss

C. Tabs breaking when bent

D. Exposed strands of fiberglass

The hone inspector is required to report the location of the:

A. water meter

B. electric service equipment

C. building sewer cleanout

D. septic tank

Which would NOT be an approved irrigation system pipe?

A. PEX

B. galvanized steel

C. ABS

D. Schedule 20 PVC

The effect of high humidity on an air conditioning system will be:

A. An increase in the temperature drop

B. A decrease in the compressor current drop

C. A decrease in the sensible load

D. An increase in the latent load

What type of roof uses hip rafters?