Free HVAC Support Technician Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the HVAC Support Technician Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Before a portable ladder is first used during a work shift, what inspection is required?

   1. A. Inspect it only if the previous user reported damage.
   2. B. Check for visible defects that could cause injury.
   3. C. Inspect it only after moving it to a different site.
   4. D. Check it at shift end instead of before use.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "Ladders are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury;" The inspection precedes initial use; reports, relocation, and end-of-shift checks do not replace it.

   Reference: 1910.23 — Ladders — 1910.23(b)(9)

2. 2A steel rule divides each inch into 16 equal intervals. What length is indicated by the thirteenth interval after zero?

   1. A. 5/8 inch
   2. B. 3/4 inch
   3. C. 13/16 inch
   4. D. 15/16 inch

   Answer: C

   Explanation: "divisions of 1/8” and 1/16” on one side" Thirteen intervals of 1/16 inch total 13/16 inch; the other values count different intervals.

   Reference: Builder Basic — NAVEDTRA 14043A — Ch.2, p.2-5, Steel Rule

3. 3Which construction document lists the specified interior finish materials for each room?

   1. A. Site grading plan
   2. B. Finish schedule
   3. C. Foundation plan
   4. D. Utility riser diagram

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "A finish schedule specifies the interior finish material for each room and floor in the building." The schedule identifies room finishes; grading, foundations, and utility risers describe other construction information.

   Reference: Builder Basic — NAVEDTRA 14043A — Construction Drawings — Finish Schedule

4. 4A material sample has a mass of 12 lbm and occupies 3 cubic feet. What is its density?

   1. A. 0.25 lbm/ft³
   2. B. 4 lbm/ft³
   3. C. 9 lbm/ft³
   4. D. 36 lbm/ft³

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "The density ( ρ ) of a substance is the total mass (m) of that substance divided by the total volume (V) occupied by that substance (mass per unit volume)." Density is 12 ÷ 3 = 4 lbm/ft³; reversing, subtracting, or multiplying the inputs gives the distractors.

   Reference: DOE Fundamentals Handbook: Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow, Volume 1 — HT-01, p.3, Density

5. 5What does effective temperature describe in the Utilitiesman Basic discussion of comfort?

   1. A. The outdoor temperature corrected only for altitude
   2. B. The combined comfort effects of temperature, humidity, and air motion
   3. C. The refrigerant saturation temperature at suction pressure
   4. D. The arithmetic difference between supply and return temperatures

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "Temperature, humidity, and air motion are interrelated in their effects on health and comfort. The term given to the net effects of these factors is effective temperature." Effective temperature combines these comfort influences; it is not a refrigerant property or temperature split.

   Reference: Utilitiesman Basic — NAVEDTRA 14265A — Principles of Air Conditioning — Temperature, effective temperature

6. 6How is a correctly configured voltmeter connected to measure the voltage across a control transformer secondary?

   1. A. In series with one secondary lead
   2. B. In parallel across the secondary terminals
   3. C. In series with the primary winding
   4. D. Across the secondary while set to current mode

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "in parallel" Voltage is measured across the secondary terminals in voltage mode, not by inserting the meter in series or using its current input.

   Reference: ABCs of DMMs: Multimeter Features and Functions Explained — p.3, How to make voltage measurements

7. 7New refrigerant tubing has been cleaned but will not be connected immediately. How should its open ends be protected?

   1. A. Leave them open so room air can circulate.
   2. B. Seal them to keep the interior clean.
   3. C. Pack them with loose cloth fibers.
   4. D. Coat the inside heavily with cutting oil.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "Then seal the ends of the tubes to keep them clean until they are connected to the rest of the system." Sealing limits dirt and moisture entry; open ends, fibers, and cutting oil introduce contamination.

   Reference: Utilitiesman Basic — NAVEDTRA 14265A — Installation, keeping cleaned tubing sealed

8. 8Which equipment arrangement identifies an air conditioner as a split system?

   1. A. All major assemblies share one cabinet.
   2. B. Separate assemblies are joined by refrigerant piping.
   3. C. Supply and return ducts share one plenum.
   4. D. Two thermostats share one electrical transformer.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "at least two separate assemblies that are connected with refrigerant piping when installed." The distinguishing separation is between refrigerant-system assemblies; two ducts or thermostats alone do not establish this arrangement.

   Reference: ENERGY STAR Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Equipment — Version 6.2 — Eligibility Criteria, 1.C, Split System

9. 9Which air stream is carried by a recirculating-air duct?

   1. A. Room air back toward the conditioning equipment
   2. B. Conditioned air from the equipment into occupied rooms
   3. C. Outdoor air into the system through a fresh-air intake
   4. D. Indoor air from the building through an exhaust outlet

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "Recirculating air ducts take air from the conditioned space and distribute it back into the system." Recirculating ducts provide the return path. Supply, fresh-air and exhaust paths carry different air streams.

   Reference: Utilitiesman Basic — NAVEDTRA 14265A — Chapter 13, 5.1.1, p. 13-67

10. 10The ENERGY STAR room-air-conditioner sizing guide gives a base capacity of 10,000 Btu/h for a room. If it is very sunny and no other adjustment applies, what adjusted capacity does that guide indicate?

    1. A. 9,000 Btu/h
    2. B. 10,000 Btu/h
    3. C. 11,000 Btu/h
    4. D. 14,000 Btu/h

    Answer: C

    Explanation: "If the room is very sunny, increase capacity by 10 percent." 10,000 × 1.10 = 11,000 Btu/h. The sunny-room adjustment adds rather than subtracts capacity.

    Reference: Room Air Conditioners — Sizing Guidance — Sizing, adjustments for room conditions