Field Inspection & Testing Flashcards
7 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 7 Field Inspection & Testing flashcards as text
When performing a blower door test, at what reference pressure is the airflow typically measured for HERS rating purposes?
Answer: 50 Pascals
Blower door tests for HERS ratings are conducted at 50 Pascals (Pa) of depressurization to standardize results across different homes.
A rater measures duct leakage to outside on a new construction home and gets 4.5 CFM25 per 100 sq ft of conditioned floor area. Which ENERGY STAR threshold does this result meet?
Answer: It meets the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes limit of 5 CFM25 or less
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3.2 requires duct leakage to outside to be ≤4 CFM25 per 100 sq ft of conditioned floor area for most climate zones, but thresholds vary; at 4.5 it would fail the 4 CFM25 limit but context matters.
During a field inspection, the rater finds insulation installed with a visible air gap between the insulation batt and the exterior wall sheathing. How should this be rated?
Answer: Grade III — substantial defects requiring remediation
Air gaps between insulation and the sheathing represent a Grade III installation defect because they create thermal bypasses that substantially degrade insulation performance.
What is the primary purpose of a duct pressurization test (Duct Blaster) during a HERS field inspection?
Answer: To quantify air leakage from the duct system
A duct pressurization test uses a Duct Blaster to pressurize the duct system and measure the total leakage from supply and return ducts.
A HERS rater is inspecting a home with a vented crawl space. Which of the following conditions would be a concern for moisture management during field inspection?
Answer: Exposed soil has no ground cover vapor barrier
Exposed soil in a crawl space without a vapor barrier allows moisture to evaporate into the crawl space, risking mold, rot, and energy loss.
When verifying mechanical ventilation during a HERS field inspection, what should the rater measure to confirm adequate whole-house ventilation?
Answer: Actual airflow (CFM) compared to the ASHRAE 62.2 required rate
ASHRAE 62.2 defines minimum whole-house ventilation rates, and the rater must measure actual airflow (CFM) to verify the installed system meets those requirements.
During a heating system inspection, the rater observes that a gas furnace flue pipe has a visible gap at a joint inside conditioned space. What is the primary concern?
Answer: Combustion gases may spill into the living space
A gap in a gas furnace flue pipe inside conditioned space can allow dangerous combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, to spill into the living area.