HERS Rater Field Inspection & Testing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a blower door test?
- Test water pressure
- Measure wall thickness
- Detect air infiltration (Correct answer)
- Locate thermal bridges
Correct answer: Detect air infiltration
A blower door test measures air leakage in a home to evaluate airtightness and identify areas needing sealing.
Question 2: Which tool is commonly used to detect insulation gaps?
- Moisture meter
- Thermal camera (Correct answer)
- Blower door
- Duct blaster
Correct answer: Thermal camera
Thermal imaging cameras help inspectors identify missing or poorly installed insulation by revealing heat patterns.
Question 3: What is a duct leakage test used for?
- Check refrigerant level
- Assess air quality
- Measure airflow in return grilles
- Determine duct system airtightness (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Determine duct system airtightness
A duct leakage test identifies leaks in a duct system to assess efficiency and improve HVAC performance.
Question 4: Why is visual inspection important in the HERS rating process?
- Identify interior design flaws
- Measure lighting levels
- Confirm insulation and sealing quality (Correct answer)
- Track worksite cleanliness
Correct answer: Confirm insulation and sealing quality
Visual inspection confirms that construction and installation details meet energy efficiency standards.
Question 5: When should field inspections be conducted in new construction?
- Only before permits
- At rough-in and final stages (Correct answer)
- After landscaping
- During interior painting
Correct answer: At rough-in and final stages
Field inspections are typically conducted at rough-in and final stages to verify installation practices and energy features.
Question 6: Which measurement is commonly recorded during a blower door test?
- Voltage flow
- BTU usage
- CFM50 air leakage (Correct answer)
- R-value rating
Correct answer: CFM50 air leakage
CFM50 (cubic feet per minute at 50 Pascals) is the standard measurement used to evaluate air leakage.
HERS Rater Field Inspection & Testing 1
What is the purpose of a blower door test?