Practice Test Geeks(HERS) Certified Home Energy Rating System Rater Practice Test
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HERS Thermal Envelope Insulation and Air Sealing Flashcards

6 cards from real HERS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 HERS Thermal Envelope Insulation and Air Sealing flashcards as text

  1. A HERS rater finds that recessed can lights are installed in an insulated ceiling. Why is this a concern for energy performance?

    Answer: Non-airtight can lights are significant air leakage points that bypass ceiling insulation

    Non-airtight recessed lights create direct air leakage pathways through the ceiling, bypassing insulation and significantly increasing infiltration.

  2. Under RESNET Quality Installation (QII) standards, what insulation grading is assigned to a cavity filled to 100% of its intended depth with no voids?

    Answer: Grade I

    Grade I insulation installation means the cavity is completely and uniformly filled with no voids, compressions, or gaps.

  3. A HERS rater measures window Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). In a hot climate like climate zone 2, what is the preferred SHGC characteristic?

    Answer: Low SHGC to minimize unwanted solar heat gain

    In hot climates, a low SHGC reduces solar heat gain through windows, decreasing cooling loads and improving energy efficiency.

  4. What is the benefit of using dense-pack cellulose in existing wall cavities during an energy retrofit verified by a HERS rater?

    Answer: It fills voids and gaps that batts cannot reach, improving both insulation and air sealing

    Dense-pack cellulose fills irregular cavities and small gaps that batt insulation cannot access, improving both thermal and air barrier performance.

  5. Which component of the building envelope does the HERS rating system assess using a U-factor rather than an R-value?

    Answer: Fenestration (windows and doors)

    Fenestration (windows, skylights, and glass doors) performance is expressed as U-factor and SHGC rather than R-value in energy codes and HERS ratings.

  6. A new home in climate zone 4 achieves a blower door result of 1.5 ACH50. How does this affect the HERS Index compared to using the default infiltration assumption?

    Answer: It lowers the HERS Index because measured leakage is far below the 7 ACH50 default

    A tested air leakage of 1.5 ACH50 is much lower than the 7 ACH50 Reference Home default, directly lowering the HERS Index.