HVAC Journeyman Practice Exam Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which type of refrigerant is commonly used in residential air
conditioning systems today?
A. R-11
B. R-22
C. R-410A
D. R-134
Rationale: R-410A is the standard refrigerant for modern residential
AC systems due to its efficiency and compliance with environmental
regulations. R-22 is being phased out because it damages the ozone
layer.
2. What is the primary purpose of a compressor in a refrigeration
cycle?
A. To cool the refrigerant
B. To expand the refrigerant
C. To increase the refrigerant pressure and circulate it
D. To filter the refrigerant
,Rationale: The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the
refrigerant, enabling it to release heat in the condenser and continue
the refrigeration cycle.
3. Which component removes heat from the refrigerant and
transfers it to the outside air?
A. Evaporator
B. Condenser
C. Expansion valve
D. Compressor
Rationale: The condenser allows the high-pressure refrigerant vapor
to release heat and condense into a liquid before entering the
expansion device.
4. What is the primary function of an expansion valve in an HVAC
system?
A. To compress refrigerant
B. To filter air
C. To reduce refrigerant pressure and control flow
D. To heat air
Rationale: Expansion valves control refrigerant flow and reduce its
pressure, enabling the evaporator to absorb heat efficiently.
, 5. Which of the following best describes sensible heat?
A. Heat that changes a substance's phase
B. Heat that changes a substance’s temperature without a phase
change
C. Heat contained in latent vapor
D. Heat from combustion only
Rationale: Sensible heat affects temperature but does not involve a
phase change, unlike latent heat which involves evaporation or
condensation.
6. A duct system that delivers conditioned air directly to a room
without branching is called:
A. Plenum system
B. Single-duct system
C. Dual-duct system
D. Zoning system
Rationale: Single-duct systems supply air through a single pathway,
making them simpler but less flexible than multi-duct or zoned
systems.
7. What is the main purpose of a thermostatic expansion valve
(TXV)?
A. To heat the refrigerant
, B. To filter the refrigerant
C. To regulate refrigerant flow based on superheat
D. To compress refrigerant
Rationale: A TXV adjusts the refrigerant flow entering the evaporator
to maintain optimal superheat, preventing flooding or starving the
evaporator.
8. Which type of airflow measurement device is most commonly
used in HVAC systems?
A. Thermocouple
B. Manometer
C. Anemometer
D. Hygrometer
Rationale: An anemometer measures air velocity and flow rate,
helping technicians balance and verify system airflow.
9. Which refrigerant is classified as a “low-pressure” refrigerant
commonly used in large chillers?
A. R-410A
B. R-11
C. R-22
D. R-134a
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which type of refrigerant is commonly used in residential air
conditioning systems today?
A. R-11
B. R-22
C. R-410A
D. R-134
Rationale: R-410A is the standard refrigerant for modern residential
AC systems due to its efficiency and compliance with environmental
regulations. R-22 is being phased out because it damages the ozone
layer.
2. What is the primary purpose of a compressor in a refrigeration
cycle?
A. To cool the refrigerant
B. To expand the refrigerant
C. To increase the refrigerant pressure and circulate it
D. To filter the refrigerant
,Rationale: The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the
refrigerant, enabling it to release heat in the condenser and continue
the refrigeration cycle.
3. Which component removes heat from the refrigerant and
transfers it to the outside air?
A. Evaporator
B. Condenser
C. Expansion valve
D. Compressor
Rationale: The condenser allows the high-pressure refrigerant vapor
to release heat and condense into a liquid before entering the
expansion device.
4. What is the primary function of an expansion valve in an HVAC
system?
A. To compress refrigerant
B. To filter air
C. To reduce refrigerant pressure and control flow
D. To heat air
Rationale: Expansion valves control refrigerant flow and reduce its
pressure, enabling the evaporator to absorb heat efficiently.
, 5. Which of the following best describes sensible heat?
A. Heat that changes a substance's phase
B. Heat that changes a substance’s temperature without a phase
change
C. Heat contained in latent vapor
D. Heat from combustion only
Rationale: Sensible heat affects temperature but does not involve a
phase change, unlike latent heat which involves evaporation or
condensation.
6. A duct system that delivers conditioned air directly to a room
without branching is called:
A. Plenum system
B. Single-duct system
C. Dual-duct system
D. Zoning system
Rationale: Single-duct systems supply air through a single pathway,
making them simpler but less flexible than multi-duct or zoned
systems.
7. What is the main purpose of a thermostatic expansion valve
(TXV)?
A. To heat the refrigerant
, B. To filter the refrigerant
C. To regulate refrigerant flow based on superheat
D. To compress refrigerant
Rationale: A TXV adjusts the refrigerant flow entering the evaporator
to maintain optimal superheat, preventing flooding or starving the
evaporator.
8. Which type of airflow measurement device is most commonly
used in HVAC systems?
A. Thermocouple
B. Manometer
C. Anemometer
D. Hygrometer
Rationale: An anemometer measures air velocity and flow rate,
helping technicians balance and verify system airflow.
9. Which refrigerant is classified as a “low-pressure” refrigerant
commonly used in large chillers?
A. R-410A
B. R-11
C. R-22
D. R-134a
